Alisson Becker has identified a clear problem at Liverpool that four players can solve

Liverpool are currently going through a personality crisis but the Merseyside derby provides an opportunity to address the issue

It is an attribute that no statistics or measurement can begin to quantify. But no successful team has ever been without him.

And an absence has hit Liverpool painfully in recent weeks as they slip further down the Premier League table.

Big teams need big personalities and too many of the Reds’ most prominent figures have jostled for a position in the treatment room this season rather than fighting for a place alongside Jurgen Klopp.

Alisson Becker admitted as much when asked about their respective injuries following last weekend’s dismal 3-0 loss to struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers after the cavalry’s imminent arrival. “This will help the team with the confidence and personality of these players,” noted the goalkeeper. “Football is also a mental game.”

While Liverpool are far from the mentality monsters of previous years, it is perhaps unsurprising given the appeal of those who have been absent from the starting lineup in recent weeks, either through injury or an alarming lack of form: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate from defence, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson from midfield, and Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino from attack.

Personality comes in many different forms and only in rare cases, like with Van Dijk, is it fully realized when you first join a team. Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson have taken on additional responsibilities of late – the latter reclaiming the captaincy in his last two games – but young players like Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott cannot be expected to take on a similar task just yet, while newcomers Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo are still getting their feet under the table.

For example, Firmino provides skilled forwards, Jota is an annoying presence that often agitates opponents, while Konate’s physicality gives him a certain aura. These are the inspirational figures of the team, the ones who set the standard. Not every player needs a strong personality – indeed, too much can cause problems within a team – but every team needs one. Shape their identity, which for Liverpool usually means intensity. Not currently, however.

Club captain Henderson has long been dubbed the ‘General’ in this regard by his manager, and a dip in form – coupled with utter burnout after 91 appearances for club and country since the start of last season – have contributed to not make him start the last four games. As for on-field performance, there can be few complaints. However, Klopp is right to point out that personality shortcomings are collective.

“If you miss something about Hendo, but the rest would be there, we wouldn’t miss him so much,” said the Reds boss. “As is everyone else, as is Virgil van Dijk (an inspirational figure).

“When he’s at his top tier, we miss him badly from his top tier. But even Virgil didn’t play every game sensationally.

“It’s a team story – and, if you like, a manager story. Then nothing. Not individual players or individual employees or anything. This story certainly doesn’t work. That’s all.”

Few games require hearts and minds as big as the Merseyside derby, with Everton making the short trip through Stanley Park on Monday night. Jota could be in contention after almost four months, Henderson is pushing for a recall. Van Dijk and Firmino are not too far behind.

In tough times, teams need their biggest personalities. And while Klopp will welcome the return of some, this time could mark the emergence of the next generation of Liverpool leaders. After all, they will be needed.