Virgil van Dijk could have basked in the glory of his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Everton. Instead, the Liverpool captain did what leaders do.

He pointed to someone else.

After netting the goal that sent Goodison Park into stunned silence and gave Liverpool all three points in the final Merseyside derby at the old ground, Van Dijk was keen to share the spotlight. The Dutchman reserved special praise for a teammate he described as "outstanding" and "so important for us."

It speaks volumes about Van Dijk's character that even in his moment of triumph, his first instinct was to recognise the collective effort. The captain's armband isn't just about wearing a bit of fabric around your bicep. It's about understanding that football is never about one man, even when one man scores the winner with virtually the last kick.

This is why Van Dijk remains so crucial to Liverpool's success. Yes, he's a world-class defender who can pop up with crucial goals. But more importantly, he's a leader who understands that building team spirit means acknowledging every contribution, not just the headline-grabbing moments.

The identity of his chosen teammate says everything about how this Liverpool squad operates under Arne Slot. Every player knows their role, every contribution matters, and every success belongs to the collective.

That's exactly the mentality you need when the business end of the season arrives.

Credit: Empire of the Kop