Darren Bent has identified the one potential obstacle that could stop Liverpool from clinching the Premier League title this season an injury to captain Virgil van Dijk.
Arne Slot’s side secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolves on Sunday, maintaining their seven-point lead at the top of the table. However, the Reds struggled in the second half, failing to register a single shot—a first in their recorded history at Anfield.
This follows a midweek setback where Liverpool dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Everton, missing the chance to extend their lead over Arsenal to 12 points. Despite these inconsistencies, Bent is confident that Liverpool will regain their dominant form soon.
“They’re not playing well, yet they’re still winning,” Bent said on the Kelly and Wrighty Show. “That’s why I think they’ll end up as champions. Their performances will improve again, this is just a blip.”
However, Bent issued a major warning about Liverpool’s reliance on Van Dijk. “If they lost Virgil to injury, I don’t think Liverpool fans would feel as comfortable,” he explained.
While praising young defender Jarell Quansah and experienced options like Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, Bent insisted that Van Dijk’s presence is irreplaceable. “Put Virgil next to anyone, and they’ll feel calm. Take him out, and that’s when doubts creep in,” he added.
After Sunday’s win, Slot acknowledged his team’s struggles but praised their resilience. “Clearly, there was relief at the end, especially after what happened on Wednesday,” he admitted.
Slot suggested that Liverpool’s late collapse against Everton had affected their mentality. “For the first time this season, I think we felt a bit shaky after conceding,” he said.
As Liverpool continue their push for the title, will Van Dijk’s fitness be the deciding factor in their success?