Van Dijk delivered masterclass at both ends of pitch as Liverpool beat Wolves

Not satisfied at producing one of the moments of defending this season, Virgil Van Dijk went up the other end of the field in that languid manger of his and scored the goal that clinched this crucial game for Liverpool.

Midway through the second-half, with Wolves tails still up after an energetic first period, Adama Traore tried to stretch his sprinter's legs to go past Van Dijk down the touchline. He pushed the ball ahead and tried to run round the Dutch defender.

It looked like high danger. But just as soon Van Dijk accelerated to keep pace, then sidestepped calmly across to frustrate the Wolves winger, who jumped into a two-footed tackle of his own.

Van Dijk shrugged that off and then found himself influential in an attacking sense.

As Wolves tried to reassemble following a free-kick, Van Dijk stayed in the box and timed his run to match Mo Salah's chip in.

His cushioned volley was worthy of the finest centre-forward, recalling to mind his goal for Holland against Germany that took his country to the UEFA Nations League last-four.

It has already been said his £75million fee was money well spent, but it is quite something to think of what he might be worth now. At this rate he is surely a genuine contender for player of the year gongs.

More than any other Liverpool player he is responsible for Jurgen Klopp's team standing top at Christmas. They have dropped just six points, because of brick wall defence rather than blitzkrieg attack.

This was another example. Nuno Espirito Santo's side were at full throttle in a first half where Liverpool rocked on occasion.

Liverpool were not off the pace, and some of their attacks were an exquisite exhibition of cutthroat class, but repeatedly Wolves pressed back by nipping possession away in midfield and going forwards with purpose.

It was the same approach that stunned Manchester City in the August sunshine earlier this season and prompted Vincent Kompany to says Wolves were 'geared for big scalps'. Well, this was top gear.

The home supporters applauded their team off after seeing Matt Doherty, Adama, and Jonny Otto go close through a combination of thrilling play and high pressing.

We had expected a proper contest here at Molineux. Before last night Wolves had faced five of the big six and claimed six points, beating Chelsea and losing only to Tottenham, narrowly.

So Liverpool had ample indication of what would await. Nuno's side viewed the Premier League's elite as the measuring stick for their own ambitions.

They have gone toe to toe with all and impressed in different ways on each occasion.

Here, was no different. But here, Liverpool had Van Dijk.