Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaks post Burnley clash (Credits: Imago Images)
Liverpool have only had close calls since the start of the season, and captain Virgil van Dijk doesn’t consider it a problem. Despite the scepticism from punditry, the Dutch defender believes that the mentality remains and will help them challenge again.
The Reds found themselves narrowly edging Burnley at Turf Moor on English Premier League Matchday 4. With 95 minutes spent on zero goals, Mohamed Salah converted a penalty in the final minutes of the game.
This was the Merseysiders’ fourth game in the English top flight, and they have won all of them with a goal in the final 10 minutes on the clock.
Some people find the stat concerning, but Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk seems positive regarding the situation. The Dutch international emphasises the team’s mentality and claims that they’ll be fine for the challenges that await them.
“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”, Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com.
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On Alexander Isak and late winners
The captain also praised Burnley’s low block and how the only way out was a penalty in the 95th minute. Van Dijk also believes that the belief is something that matters a lot, too.
“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. 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.”
Alexander Isak also received a green light from the captain as the Swede apparently displayed hunger and potential during the training sessions.
“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 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”, the Dutchman claimed.
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