Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: You have to earn every moment on derby day
Virgil van Dijk relishes the added significance that comes with a Merseyside derby and the need to ‘earn every moment’ when Liverpool face Everton.
The No.4’s Reds career began in this fixture as he scored a late winner in an FA Cup tie against the Blues at Anfield back in January 2018.
Van Dijk has since built up plenty of experience of the derby, of course, and in his programme notes ahead of the 243rd edition on Saturday, the captain assures the meaning of the game is embedded in the players’ minds.
“Before I actually played in one, I did not know exactly what to expect from the Merseyside derby,” writes the Netherlands international.
“I knew it was a special game, I recognised how important it was to the people of the city and beyond, but it was only by getting out on the pitch and getting a feel for it myself that I fully understood what it is all about. I’m sure that is exactly the same for any player who has ever been fortunate enough to be involved in this fixture.
“The thing that always strikes me is the passion – on and off the pitch. It is so powerful that you can feel it. That’s how you know how much it means.
“In terms of points, it is no more important than any other game, but for the 90-plus minutes that we play it feels like it means everything and more – almost to the point that there could be nothing at stake, but there would still be so much at stake. It’s red versus blue and that always matters.
“This is the way it is for football in the city of Liverpool and it is something that I really like because it can only be like this if football itself has a big significance to the people. You don’t have to spend too much time in this part of the world to know that is definitely true here. The people live for the sport and that means it is always an honour to represent them, but especially on days like this.
“The good thing is, unlike my debut, I now know exactly what to expect. Whatever the results have been in the years since then, this game is always a proper contest. You have to earn the right to play and once you’ve earned that right you have to make the most of it because no-one on either side is about to do the opposition any favours.
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“Everton will come here with their own ambitions. After a tough start to the season they had a few positive results in the build-up to the international break so no doubt they will come to Anfield with a desire to build on those.
“For us, we feel that our previous couple of results could have been better – and if one or two things would have gone our way they would have been – so we will be looking to get back to winning ways.
“It won’t be easy, of course – it never is. This is a day when every throw-in, every shot, every moment has to be earned and we have to be up to that challenge. If we are then we will give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving the outcome that we are hoping for.”
