ReactionVirgil van Dijk on 250 Liverpool appearances, Brentford win, Konate potential and more
Virgil van Dijk hailed a ‘big’ 4-1 win for Liverpool over Brentford as he marked a landmark appearance for the Reds in style.
The captain was playing in his 250th game for the club, and was instrumental as Jürgen Klopp’s side maintained their place at the top of the Premier League with a first-ever victory at Gtech Community Stadium.
Goals from Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo did the damage for the Reds, who also overcame the losses of Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota to injury in the first half and Nunez at the break due to a fitness concern.
Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, Van Dijk hailed the significance of the result, given such adversity.
“[I am] very pleased, of course,” he said. “I had no clue that I was playing my 250th game for Liverpool, but it’s a proud moment, of course, for me and my family. On to many more!
“Today was a tough game for many reasons. Even before all the injuries during the game, it was always going to be tough. We didn’t win here the last two times we came, I got injured last year here as well.
“They make it difficult for you with the way they don’t give up, the set-pieces, the directness they have. We had to be ready to fight, and the goals we scored helped massively as well.”
The result means Liverpool retain top spot in the Premier League, with a home game against Luton Town to come on Wednesday before next weekend’s Carabao Cup final versus Chelsea at Wembley.
And though injuries continue to chip away at the Reds’ squad, Van Dijk says he and his teammates are relishing the opportunity to compete for trophies in the coming weeks and months.
“I think everyone wants to be competing on all four fronts,” he added. “Now is obviously the very, very exciting part of the season coming up with things being decided [and] obviously next week we have the final.
“[But] our quality over the last few years has been that we focus on the game ahead of us, and that doesn’t change. Last year was not the best year, but this year we have been focusing on what we can control and that’s winning the game ahead of us.
“Today was a big one, for many reasons. But we got it, we found a way even with all the injuries during the game. Now it’s time to recover and make sure that we are ready for Wednesday.
“That’s expected from us, and I’m looking forward to it already! We will go for it, and we need our fans as well on Wednesday to make it a very good night.”
Van Dijk also hailed defensive partner Ibrahima Konate, who produced a towering performance alongside the Dutchman.
“Ibou is still learning, he’s still so young, but he has so much potential,” Van Dijk said. “He’s got everything for a modern centre-half. And especially with how the game goes now, you have to be fast, you have to be ready to play, play with massive spaces in behind and be able to deal with that.
“He’s a good learner, he wants to learn and he wants to take that responsibility of being a leader in the team as well.
“It’s great to see, and I like these players who want to improve and be better, and who have the passion to win each and every game.”
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Reflecting on his 250 games as a Liverpool player – which have brought 171 victories – Van Dijk smiled as he said: “I play with great players!
“But no, I’m proud to be a Liverpool player, captain, part of the history of the club. It’s amazing and I enjoy each and every day.
“Coming out the tunnel at Anfield or here, leading out the boys… when I was a little boy I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, going out there and doing what I love.
“It’s amazing, and like I said, on to many more!”