Liverpool defender Joe Gomez admits he appreciates the leadership of captain Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk has taken charge after the sale of Jordan Henderson to Al Ettifaq.

“Aside from the football, he's just a good person," Gomez said of the Liverpool captain. “Gini [Wijnaldum] was the [introduction], because they were both Dutch and I was close with Gini as well so it was just naturally formed.

“We'd speak, the three of us, meet up and stuff. Then when Gini left we just grew closer. Good guy.

“And obviously I've learned a lot from him, off the pitch and as people. It's nice to have someone like that you can lean upon."