The Dutch centre-back has been outstanding since his record-breaking move from Southampton, thus provoking envious glances from Old Trafford
The Manchester United fans that travel to Anfield on Sunday could be forgiven for enviously gazing at the complete defensive package that is Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool broke the transfer record for a defender to get their man at the start of 2018 but few players have ever had such an immediate impact for the Reds in the Premier League as the £75 million ($94.2m) signing.
United themselves could once boast the pre-eminent centre-halves in the division, from Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce through to Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.