Virgil van Dijk is essential to Liverpool and their hopes of challenging for the Premier League title – despite his gradual decline.That’s the shared belief of Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist now that the Reds appear to be in contention for the 2026/27 crown amid a strong run of form.Van Dijk is a Liverpool legend, having made 385 appearances and won every major trophy, but is deemed to not be as good as he once wasGettyLiverpool were 2-0 winners on Sunday afternoon against a Brighton side who, ahead of kick-off, had the joint-best defence in the league with Arsenal on just five goals conceded.The Reds are fourth in the table on 15 points with eight matches played, and have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.Manchester City lead reigning champions Arsenal on goal difference at the top, although a heavy points deduction remains a possibility if their appeal against a guilty verdict on financial rules breaches fails.Starting in the Liverpool defence for all of their league fixtures so far has been Van Dijk, the club captain who is regarded to be one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history with two titles won.Now aged 35 and in his tenth season at Anfield, the Dutchman looks to be heading into the final years of his playing career, while the Dutchman is in the final year of his contract, but Stelling and McCoist believe he still has what it takes to excel for Liverpool.Is Van Dijk past it, or still world-class?On talkSPORT Breakfast, Laura Kirk-Francis asked if Van Dijk is past his best or can still be part of a team capable of winning titles.“Is the answer potentially yes to both of those questions?” Stelling questioned. “Because he probably is fractionally past his best, but if I’m looking for a central defender, Virgil van Dijk is still right up there amongst the very best. “I think he’s a leader, an organiser as well, I would love to have him in any of my teams. “How long he’ll go on for is another issue but if Liverpool are to launch another title challenge, it will be with Virgil van Dijk as the rock at the heart of their defence.”In response, McCoist said: “I think you’ve answered it spot on, Jeff, I really do. I think the answer is yes to both questions. Although Van DIjk is said to be past his best, Stelling and McCoist still believe he is crucial to any title challenge at LiverpoolGetty“I don’t think he’s at the peak of his powers and he probably won’t get back to that peak again, because you’ve got to remember where he was. “Probably one of the best centre-backs the country has ever seen, without doubt. You can talk about the rest of them – John Terry, Rio (Ferdinand) and all those guys. “Van Dijk, at his peak, was absolutely unbelievable and comparable with those guys, in my opinion. “So, I don’t think he will reach that again, but if Liverpool are going to maintain a challenge in the next few seasons, I would certainly see him in that centre-half position.”Liverpool will be just three points off Arsenal with a win at home to the holders on Sunday, whilst leaders City face Brighton a day before.However, Andoni Iraola’s side are first looking to book a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as they host Chelsea on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT.