Reaction'Amazing' - why there was double joy for Virgil van Dijk on Sunday
Virgil van Dijk was pleased by Liverpool’s mentality and determined pursuit as another late salvo gained three points against Burnley.
For the fourth consecutive time in the Premier League this season on Sunday, a goal in the final 10 minutes or later secured the Reds victory.
At Turf Moor it was a Mohamed Salah penalty kick converted with 95 on the clock that clinched a 1-0 result and maintained a 100 per cent record for Arne Slot’s team in the division.
Liverpool’s captain was able to celebrate on two fronts, too. The win in Burnley was coupled by the club’s U13s side being victorious at the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy tournament played in the Netherlands across the weekend.
He spoke to Liverpoolfc.com post-match – read the Q&A below…
On another late win showing the champions’ mentality…
Yeah, we tried absolutely everything against a very low block. Fair play to Burnley, they defended well and they kept running and fighting. And we had to find a way. We tried everything and obviously we managed to get the well-deserved penalty and win.
On the belief that Liverpool have that they will find a way…
If you look at our body language, I think we kept pushing. We kept motivating each other and we didn’t get frustrated. Obviously it could be easily a draw and we take the point. But because we kept pushing, we kept going, that obviously helps us getting the penalty towards the end. I’m very pleased with the performance overall, defensively and offensively. And now we recover and be ready for the Champions League.
On having to find a winning goal in the last 10 minutes in every league game so far this season…
Yeah, but that shows the mentality. Obviously no-one wants to find a way only in the last 10 minutes but it’s about repeating the right patterns, keep going and create chances. There were not many clear-cut chances but obviously we didn’t give anything away either, so we have to keep going and keep the belief, and I think we just did that.
On the welcome for new striker Alexander Isak and how he has looked in training so far…
Very good! Listen, he is going to be very important for the football club. Obviously he is a fantastic player and he has to realise that this is another step up, there’s more things to be asked from him on and off the pitch, but I’m not worried whatsoever. He is going to do pretty well, like the other new boys as well. It’s time for him now to get as fit as possible as quickly as possible and be important with goals, with link-up play – like Hugo [Ekitike] is already as well. It’s good to have competition. We have to push each other to be successful and I’m confident that will be the case.
On a double win for Liverpool on the day, with the club’s U13s victorious at Virgil’s Legacy Trophy in Tilburg…
Definitely! I ran in [after the game] and found out that the boys did us proud in my own youth tournament in Holland. The Liverpool U13 boys won my tournament. I think they had an amazing time. It was almost a sell-out at the stadium from what I’ve heard and everyone had a good time. I think the whole day, the players had a fantastic experience, all of the teams, so I was really pleased with that.
I watched the games on the way to Burnley, watched it on Saturday. Unfortunately I obviously I couldn’t be there because I had some duties today I had to do! But I’m very pleased that everything went well. I could say so many things; I’m just buzzing about that because this has been something that is very close to my heart. I can keep talking about it and will keep this smile as well! An amazing day overall with everything that happened.