Virgil Van Dijk’s tactical nous highlighted by major role he played in Liverpool’s crucial winner

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Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a late winner against Newcastle United. Divock Origi’s late header sealed a 3-2 win at St James’ Park.

Virgil Van Dijk and Mo Salah twice put Liverpool in front but Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon pegged the Reds back.

But Origi came off the bench to force home a winner. And Van Dijk played a major role in the winner, despite not physically getting involved.

Liverpool had a free-kick on the right flank after Fabinho was fouled by Matt Ritchie. And initially, Trent Alexander-Arnold was set to take it.

The England right-back stood over the ball with Xherdan Shaqiri nearby. But Van Dijk overruled this. The Netherlands international deliberately made a point of changing the free-kick taker.

He was captured on Sky Sports cameras pointing to Shaqiri and telling the left-footed midfielder to take the set-piece so that it was swinging towards the goal.

This proved to be a piece of tactical genius from the Dutch defender. Shaqiri’s inch-perfect free-kick caused all sorts of problems before a combination of Origi and Jamaal Lascelles deflected the ball into the net.

Van Dijk has already won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. And now he has given Liverpool every chance of winning the title after inspiring a late victory with this tactical shout.