Liverpool captain referenced Sunderland’s “interesting” pitch after his winner ended the Black Cats’ unbeaten home run
The defender rose from a corner shortly after the hour mark to score what proved to be the decisive goal, ending Sunderland’s unbeaten home league record this season on a very wet and windy night in the North East, which impacted the pitch on Wearside.
Sunderland suffered their first home league defeat of the season - and their first at the Stadium of Light since the 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on May 3. It also marked the first time Le Bris’ side have lost back-to-back matches in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign
Speaking to TNT Sports afterwards about his goal, Van Dijk said: “It was going on target I think! A great win, hard work, on a very interesting, difficult pitch. Recover and go again on the weekend. It was quite a circumstance, but to come here and to play like we did today was a well-deserved three points. I think they showed this season how difficult it is to beat them and a lot of credit to them - it is a hard-working team. It is good to come here and for us to win and keep the clean sheet. A good match for us.”
Liverpool had controlled large spells of possession and gradually built pressure before finding the breakthrough, though Sunderland improved after the interval and remained competitive throughout. Van Dijk was also quick to praise his teammates. “Ibo [Ibrahima Konaté] was outstanding, Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] in front. Everyone was putting a shift in. Proud of the guys as they worked so hard.”
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The result strengthens Liverpool’s push for a top-five finish, but the captain insisted focus remains short term. “We can't deny that it feels very big, but there are still 12 games to go. So we have to keep improving and trying to find consistency. We have to try to stay fit and stay confident and keep improving. Recover and we play Saturday against Brighton. Which is a difficult team to beat.”
Sunderland, meanwhile, remain 11th in the table as they regroup following back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool, with Oxford United in the fourth round of the FA Cup next up for Le Bris’ men this coming Sunday at the Kassam Stadium.
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