ReactionVirgil van Dijk on derby draw, Alisson saves and moving forward
Virgil van Dijk left Goodison Park disappointed Liverpool could not secure three points but feels the Reds can move forward with a positive mindset.
Extended highlights: Everton 0-0 Liverpool
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An action-packed lunchtime clash on the other side of Stanley Park somehow concluded without a mark on the scoresheet.
Everton hit the post and had a goal chalked off following a VAR review, while Liverpool struck the post twice, the crossbar once and were foiled on several more occasions by Jordan Pickford.
Asked for his overriding emotion post-match, Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com: “Disappointment, because obviously we wanted to win here.
“We had opportunities – the crossbar and the post saved them a lot. They had two good opportunities Alisson had to save and do his work – and he did fantastically.
“Obviously we feel disappointed but it is what it is, we can’t change it at the moment, we have to work, go to the next one and that’s going to be Champions League.
“We wanted to win, we always want to win games. This football club expects us to win games. We set the bar so high and that’s something we have to enjoy.
“Obviously you have also these times where it’s not going as you want it as much. At times during the game I think it went very well, and some other moments it wasn’t, especially on the break a couple of moments.
“But it is what it is, we have to learn from certain situations and recover now and be ready for Wednesday.”
Liverpool were grateful to Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out, too, including a vital one-on-one stop when Neal Maupay was teed up inside the penalty area.
“He is amazing and we’re so happy that he’s our goalkeeper,” Van Dijk said of the Brazilian. “Today obviously he was very important with those saves.”
Jürgen Klopp was able to call on Darwin Nunez again following the striker’s three-game suspension, and Diogo Jota was also involved as a substitute after an injury lay-off.
New loan signing Arthur Melo featured on the bench at Goodison Park having received the necessary international clearance in his move from Juventus.
On the importance of having increasing options in the squad, Van Dijk added: “Yeah, 100 per cent, it all gives a big boost to the club, to everyone. The options are very important. We need everyone.
“The busy period started from last Wednesday, now we’re going to play every three to four days, big games until the internationals. It’s something to look forward to.
“Everyone has to do the right things in order to be ready. That’s what we’re going to do: focus on the next one and be positive. The season is going to be so long so let’s just enjoy it.”