The Reds have endured a lacklustre season under manager Arne Slot and finish the season trophyless as they wave goodbye to Salah and Robertson.
Salah and Andy Robertson were presented with commemorative framed artworks to mark their nine years at Liverpool on Saturday as the Egyptian said the side “better win next year” after a dismal campaign filled with injuries and disappointment.
Speaking to Hajper, Heskey revealed that as the pair depart, Van Dijk must step up and become a father figure at the club.
“Virgil van Dijk still has a massive, massive part to play in the rebuild that must now happen. He’s a draw in the transfer market too. Players want to come to Liverpool because Van Dijk is there.
“His influence on that dressing room as a leader is so important too. He has been a driver of everything that has been good about Liverpool in the last few years. There’ll come a time where he is no longer a starter, but I’d still keep him around the club because he can have that influence.
“Liverpool had that with Jordan Henderson. He’s doing fantastic work again now at Brentford. Van Dijk is like Henderson. Even when he isn’t playing, he is the leader, and he needs to keep leading by example because the other players look to him.
“Set the standard. You’ve got to lead. You’ve got to be able to show them what it takes, and Van Dijk has got to be that for Liverpool, and he’s still an attraction for new signings who want to play for him too. Van Dijk is that guy. Liverpool have got to keep him so he can be that guy.”
Van Dijk has played every single minute of Liverpool's Premier League season so far, at the age of 34 years and 319 days. He remains an integral part of the squad and one of the last surviving players from before 2020.