Virgil van Dijk shared some wise words for Florian Wirtz and opened up on Mohamed Salah after his controversial Liverpool benching
Virgil van Dijk reacts on the pitch
Virgil van Dijk spoke about Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and consistency after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Sunderland
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Everything Virgil van Dijk said after Liverpool's disappointing 1-1 draw with Sunderland
1. Florian Wirtz pressure: Van Dijk addressed the pressure on summer signing Florian Wirtz, stating the high price tag is external noise that the player must personally manage and 'deal with' himself. He advised Wirtz to ignore the talk, start working, and dedicate himself to enjoying the opportunity at the club.
2. Wirtz's potential: The captain views Wirtz as an "outstanding, world-class player" whose immense talent justified a big-money move to the club. However, Van Dijk cautions that the young player must remain "level-headed," avoiding emotional highs and lows as his improvement will require time.
3. Mohamed Salah's reaction: Van Dijk confirmed that Mohamed Salah was rightly "disappointed" after being benched for two consecutive matches, calling this a normal reaction for a top player. He suggested that if Salah was not frustrated about missing out on playing time, that would signify a more serious "issue."
4. Salah's leadership role: Despite the benching decisions, Van Dijk insisted that Salah still holds a highly significant role within the team. The captain emphasised that he needs Salah around as a key figure in their leadership group and has full confidence in his future contribution.
5. Accountability for all players: The defender stressed that no player, including successful stars like Salah, has "unlimited credit" and everyone must consistently perform to earn their place. This principle validates the manager's decision to rotate the squad based on performance and tactical needs.
6. Sunderland struggles: Van Dijk provided an honest assessment of the draw vs Sunderland, noting the team struggled significantly against an opponent employing a deep, "low block." He admitted that the side failed to create enough quality chances to secure a winning goal against the defensive set-up.
7. Dissatisfaction with the result: While taking the point, Van Dijk made it clear he was "not satisfied" with the result - especially when playing at home. He mentioned that winning is crucial to build on performances, and they must accept the current situation while recognizing it could have been worse.
8. Need for consistency: The squad is currently seeking better consistency, as the captain acknowledged that certain elements, such as pressing and final-third execution, are still taking "a bit of time" to click. He stressed that everyone is needed in their "best shape" for the team to achieve its goals.