Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken after the 2-0 Premier League win at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League match at West Ham United on November 30 2025
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League match at West Ham United on November 30 2025
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Virgil van Dijk insists there is "no point" Liverpool looking at the Premier League table after the rot was stopped with victory at West Ham United. And the Reds skipper believes the only way they can control criticism is with better performances and results after a harrowing recent run.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo earned a 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, only a fourth win in 13 games for Arne Slot's side.
It was sufficient to move Liverpool back into the top half of the table and only three points off the top four in a congested table.
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And Van Dijk said: “It was an important win. We are pleased to keep a clean sheet but I don’t think there was extra determination needed in the situation that we were in.
“Criticism is part of the game, so that’s what the guys who give criticism get paid for, we just have to deal with what we can control, and that’s playing football on the pitch.
"We won, that’s about it. Now we focus on Wednesday (at home to Sunderland), on what will be a very hard, tough game that we will be ready for.
“There’s no point for us to look at any table, we didn’t do it last year and we shouldn’t do it now either. The only thing we should look at is trying to find consistency in the way we play, defend and attack. It was a good win and now we move on.”
Liverpool were given strong backing by a vocal away end who pointedly chanted the name of under-pressure Slot both during and after the game.
And asked about the level of support, Van Dijk said: "It was very important. I don’t think that’s any issue at a club like Liverpool, in my opinion, from what I’ve experienced, so a big credit to all of them, and keep supporting us.
"It’s obviously down to us on the pitch to try and get the results that we want, so that’s what we try to do.”
Florian Wirtz posted an impressive performance on his return after two games on the sidelines, while Joe Gomez also caught the eye with a hand in both goals from right-back on his first Premier League start in more than 11 months.
“He did outstandingly," said Van Dijk. "Obviously it’s great to see him back and it’s great to see Flo back as well.
"Florian played very well against Frankfurt as well. It’s actually normal, it takes a bit of time. Here he showed his quality, with and without the ball.
"I’m pleased for him and pleased for all of us. It’s only one game so we have to keep going, getting results and keep going.”
Isak's goal as his first in the Premier League in more than six months and only his second in any competition since arriving for £125million from Newcastle United at the start of September.
And Van Dijk added: "Hopefully it will do a lot for his confidence, because we need him in his best form and shape, which will be important for all of us. I’m glad he got the goal. I’ve seen (that kind of finishing) against myself, playing against him as well."