Darren Bent shares what needs to happen for Liverpool to win the Premier League
Liverpool are on course to finally bring the Premier League title back to Anfield this season, with Darren Bent sharing what they need to do.
Arne Slot has fitted in at Anfield with no problem and has the Reds sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
The Dutchman has also guided his Liverpool side to the Carabao Cup final and to the top of the new-look Champions League in his first season.
Darren Bent says Virgil van Dijk is vital to Liverpool title win
Although some pondered how Liverpool would adapt to life under the management of Slot, they were always going to taste some success given the calibre of players at Anfield.
While things are joyful in Merseyside currently, with Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah out of contract this summer, there are plenty of conversations going on in the background.
Bent has suggested that Van Dijk is key to bringing silverware back to Anfield this season, with Liverpool needing to keep him fit whatever happens.
Speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty show, Bent said: “They’re [Liverpool] not playing well and they’re still getting results and that’s why I feel they’re going to end up as champions.
“That’s the problem. Their performances will go up again. I think this is just their blip. They might get beat here and there but I just feel with Liverpool and their firepower that they’ve got at some point their performances will go up again.
“My only thing with Liverpool is Virgil. I just think if they lost Virgil to injury I don’t think Liverpool fans would feel as comfortable.
“Quansah is a good long talent, Gomez and Konate are good players in their own right but you put Virgil next to anybody and they’re going to be calm. You take him out of it and you just have those and that’s when I’m not sure.”
Virgil van Dijk a key part of the picture at Liverpool
Throughout his time in Merseyside, Van Dijk has cemented his place as a top player at Anfield with the captain showing no signs of dropping in quality.
The 33-year-old has made 25 top-flight appearances this term, contributing a goal and an assist across those games showing he has plenty to offer across the pitch.
Although the Reds have some excellent players across their defence, you can understand what Bent is saying, with the Dutch enforcer critical to that back line.
As someone with heaps of experience and a more senior player in the squad, it is not just what he contributes as a footballer but also as a leader that brings the rest of the squad along with him.
Liverpool’s form has dropped of late although they are still able to grind out results, so it doesn’t look like they have too much to worry about at this stage.
That being said, there is still plenty of football to be played and if the Reds were to lose such a vital cog in their side, it could well hit their confidence going forward.
Nevertheless, given just how good Slot’s side has been this term it’s unlikely they won’t win the Premier League at this stage, but if they want to go on to another period of dominance, then tying the defender down to a new contract could play a big part.