2018 Liverpool Home – Virgil Van Dijk #4 Medium

The 2017–18 season was a turning point in Liverpool’s modern history. Under Jürgen Klopp, the team began to fully embrace the high-energy “gegenpressing” style, overwhelming opponents with intensity and attacking flair.

• Liverpool finished 4th in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification.

• More importantly, they reached the UEFA Champions League Final in Kyiv, their first since 2007. Though they fell to Real Madrid (3–1), it was the beginning of a new European dynasty under Klopp.

• The front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino was electric, combining for over 90 goals in all competitions.

⭐ Virgil van Dijk’s Impact (2018)

Liverpool’s defense had long been criticized, but that changed when they signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018 for a then-world-record fee for a defender (£75m).

• Van Dijk immediately transformed Liverpool’s backline with his leadership, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball.

• He debuted in January against Everton, scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup tie.

• By the Champions League knockout stages, Van Dijk was already the commanding presence at the back, forming a strong partnership with Dejan Lovren.

• His arrival was the first step in fixing Liverpool’s defensive issues, setting the foundation for future triumphs, including the 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League title.

📋 2017–18 Liverpool Squad

• Goalkeepers: Loris Karius, Simon Mignolet, Danny Ward

• Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren, Joël Matip, Ragnar Klavan, Andrew Robertson, Alberto Moreno, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne

• Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana

• Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Dominic Solanke, Danny Ings

👕 Jersey Significance

The 2018 Liverpool Home Jersey, made by New Balance, was a rich deep red with white details, a retro-inspired design celebrating the club’s heritage. It featured a buttoned Henley-style collar, paying homage to Liverpool’s kits of the 1980s.

With Virgil van Dijk’s #4, the shirt represents the beginning of Liverpool’s new defensive era—when a single signing helped elevate the team from contenders to future champions.