Liverpool went back to being nine points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after putting two goals past a threatless Leicester City.
Diogo Jota got both goals as Jurgen Klopp defeated the man he replaced, Brendan Rodgers.
Ten minutes before half-time Jota scored a rebound after Van Dijk’s header was saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
Three minutes before the end of the game Jota made sure the game was finished with a strong finish.
Luis Diaz made his full Liverpool debut and Premier League debut causing the Leicester City backline all sorts of problems.
Mohamed Salah made his first appearance since coming back from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Next up for Liverpool it is Burnley at Turf Moor on the weekend.
Player ratings:
Alisson: 7
Saved an early effort from James Maddison well but other than that had nothing to do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6
150th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. Made Schmeichel make the first save of the game stinging his gloves.
Joel Matip: 7
A delicate through ball to set up Jota for his second which was also a nutmeg. Kept Daka quiet.
Virgil Van Dijk: 8
Header was saved prior to Jota rebounding it in, was a great run to find space from the corner. Was as good as ever, in second gear for the majority of the game.
Andy Robertson: 7
Linked up superbly well with new signing Diaz all game. Defensively sound.
Fabinho: 6
Brilliant when paired with Thiago, didn’t put a foot wrong.
Thiago Alcantara: 7
Nearly scored a goal of the season contender with a bicycle kick on the edge of the box, effort went just wide. Ran the show.
Curtis Jones: 5
Was part of the solid unit in midfield however struggled to create much.
Diogo Jota: 9
Scored the first goal of the night due to his poacher-like instincts. Came close to scoring the second early on in the second half but was denied by Schmeichel. Eventually did get his brace to get his 17th goal of the season with a powerful finish to get the ball past the Danish goalkeeper.
Roberto Firmino: 6.5
Had a couple of efforts that stung Schmeichel’s gloves in the first half and was constantly dropping in and creating problems for the Leicester City centre halves.
Luis Diaz: 7
Had a long-range effort deflect wide in the second half. So close to scoring on his league debut as he was slipped in on goal, but it just about stayed out. Looked right at home.
Substitutions:
Harvey Elliott (Curtis Jones 60): 6
Linked up really well with Salah in his first league game since that horrific injury against Leeds United.
Mohamed Salah (Roberto Firmino 60): 7
Wiggled his way past several players to get a shot on target then soon after was gifted an opportunity one on one but Schmeichel made an impressive save to deny him a goal on his return from AFCON. In the 77th minute it looked like he had got his inevitable goal as he cut in on his left with a beautiful curling effort which ended up hitting the post.
Takumi Minamino (Luis Diaz 89th): n/a
