Virgil van Dijk's potentially season-ending injury has created a shadow of doubt over Liverpool's title credentials. 

Even at the most elite of footballing institutions there are some players who you simply cannot live without. 

Van Dijk is in that bracket at Liverpool, and the recent setbacks suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have only added an extra layer to the problems Jurgen Klopp is facing as he bids to lead the Reds to back-to-back Premier League titles. 

But just how badly will Liverpool miss van Dijk this season? 

During an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, the former Reds glovesman Chris Kirkland suggested that the loss of van Dijk may not be as hard felt as it may have been under more customary circumstances.

Indeed, offering an intriguing insight into when van Dijk is at his most influential, Kirkland claimed the absence of fans offers Liverpool some form of solace amid their catalogue of problems. 

"We would have missed van Dijk more if there were fans in the ground.

"Going to away grounds when you're under the pressure, when the home fans get on top of you, that's when van Dijk comes through.

"That's when his calmness and his ability to help players around him, say right, knuckle down now, concentrate, comes through - when that atmosphere is right on top of you.

"So I think it's helped the team, even though it's so unfortunate and we're not allowed fans in the game, we won't miss him as much for that reason."

Van Dijk

Not only is the 29-year-old an indomitable defensive prospect, he is a vocal, charismatic leader of men who has palpably lifted the club since he signed in 2018.

In the midst of a fiery, intimidating atmosphere van Dijk is the type of reassuring presence who possesses the ability to help the players around him weather the storm. 

The absence of supporters in Premier League stadia will naturally define the way this season unfolds.

While the exact impact empty stands are having on players and results is subject to wildly differing interpretations, there is little doubt that an absence of thousands of watching eyes and vocal chords reduces the anxiety of the players. 

Though van Dijk's injury is a hammer blow to Liverpool's title aspirations, Kirkland makes a valid point regarding how deeply his absence will be felt.