Liverpool Champions League winner Harry Kewell believes Virgil van Dijk's importance to the team was shown in their struggling victory over Monterrey.

The Reds, who were missing the Dutchman, defeated the Mexicans in the semifinal of the Club World Cup yesterday.

Analysing the game, Kewell told BBC Sport: "When I watch Liverpool play, I see Virgil constantly talking to everyone around him.

"He is always communicating with his full-backs, and the people in front of him.

"Yes people talk about him being a great defender because he can play out from the back and is comfortable on the ball, but a defender's first job is to defend - and, in the case of Van Dijk, it is to organise the rest of his defence too.

"That is what Liverpool missed the most against Monterrey. No-one had his kind of defensive vision, or ability to spot danger.

"Despite their lack of composure at the back, they actually defended pretty well for the most part but one thing I would criticise was the goal they conceded.

"No-one saw Stefan Medina's run to the far post, and once he had the leap on Naby Keita, there was no way Keita could defend it. After that, they did not really defend as a unit when the ball was in the box.

"I don't see that happening if Van Dijk is on the pitch.

"Clearly, they need him back in the team to face Flamengo - if he is fit, Liverpool will be calm and comfortable at the back and everyone will be a lot more relaxed."