ReactionVirgil van Dijk on Leicester win, targeting improvement and Cody Gakpo transfer
Virgil van Dijk acknowledged a below-par Liverpool performance but was satisfied to come away with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.
The Reds’ final outing of 2022 started poorly, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall giving the Foxes an early lead at Anfield.
But two own goals from Wout Faes turned the game on its head and made it four Premier League wins in a row for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
Post-match, Van Dijk spoke to Sky Sports. Read a summary of the interview below.
Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
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On the win and performance…
At times I think we were very poor today, but in these times it’s good to get the three points. It sounds very cliched maybe but it’s very important to win these types of games and we did, so that’s the positive about tonight and we have to recover, improve and be ready for Brentford.
On whether the performance ‘felt off’ from the first whistle…
Well, we tried. We tried to get in the game but it wasn’t good enough today and we all know that. So, we’ll improve but we won and that’s very positive – that’s what it’s all about of course, but there are plenty of things we have to improve.
Obviously we prepared very well, we had a good game in Birmingham the other day and we tried to keep that going. At times today we were maybe a little bit too quick and then we lose the ball in difficult situations and [were] a bit more open. Then obviously they have a lot of players who can play with their strengths, but we have to take the three points, be confident and onto the next.
On what Cody Gakpo, who watched his new teammates in action at Anfield, will bring to Liverpool…
Hopefully a lot. A good player, a good boy and obviously I know how it is to come in in January but we have to give him time and I’m very sure that the Liverpool fans will give him that time. I said it before, we are a family and the real ones will always back you no matter what. He has to keep his head down no matter what happens, fight, enjoy the moment and be important for Liverpool Football Club.
On what part he played in persuading his Netherlands teammate to join the Reds…
I think that’s over-exaggerated! Obviously I spoke to him and I can only say good things because obviously I am here. I’ve enjoyed my time and we have been very successful but I think the manager said it as well, obviously if it was me it was an easy decision to make and I didn’t need to convince him. Obviously if there was any questions he asked me and I give him the honest answer. I’m very glad that he is here and hopefully he can get started as soon as possible.
