Liverpool captain details set-piece approach against Sunderland and responds to Ibrahima Konaté contract questions after Stadium of Light clash.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk revealed his winning goal at the Stadium of Light was the product of detailed preparation - including analysis of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
Van Dijk struck in the second half to secure a 1-0 victory and end Sunderland’s unbeaten home league run. Afterwards, he confirmed Liverpool had targeted second-phase situations from set-pieces. Asked if it was something discussed before the game, he said: “Yes. Obviously they have the two big centre-backs that tend to head away quite a lot.
“The goalkeeper (Robin Roefs) obviously has had a fantastic season and he's a Dutch guy, but obviously punching under pressure is never great, so we thought the second phase could also be an interesting one. Yeah, we tried something today and it worked, because I had a chance in the first half where I hit it too hard, but luckily in the second half I could score.” Van Dijk was also asked about reaching a personal milestone - his 23rd Premier League goal for Liverpool, the most by a defender for the club in the Premier League era. “It means a lot to me, so it means that I did pretty well.”
Attention then turned to team-mate Ibrahima Konaté and his contract situation. “Listen, we are friends, we speak about everything, it's a process, and let's see what comes out of it. It's never that easy. We've seen it with my situation last year, so it's never that easy that we can just get it done. I think it's a process and let's see what comes out of it. Obviously I want him to stay, he's an important figure on the pitch, that's what everyone sees, but off the pitch as well.
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“He's one of the leaders and he's an outstanding, in my eyes, a world-class centre-back. So, I can't tell you so much, but it's also in the club's hands, together with his agents and himself. So let's see what comes out of it, but I have no influence otherwise on that, to be honest.” When asked directly if there is still hope Konaté remains beyond this season, Van Dijk added: “There's always hope.”
On the game, Van Dijk added: “It's a good win. And now we recover. I think what gives confidence is the performance. Not that we won here or broke their record or whatever is going on, I think it's the performance. Defensively, offensively, I think we were very good and should have scored more.
“But we take the three points and go on. I'm confident in my team, and it's down to us to show that each and every three or four days. Now our focus turns to the FA Cup, and then we have a long week to prepare for Forest. So, first recover now, see how everyone is tomorrow, then we have Friday and then we have to be ready again.So, yeah, on to the next.”
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