ReactionVirgil van Dijk on 'intense' Premier League run and Newcastle satisfaction
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes the Reds can be satisfied with their recent work following an 'intense' run of Premier League fixtures.
Arne Slot's side finished off a schedule of five top-flight matches in 15 days with Wednesday night's 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield.
Liverpool have emerged from that period with a 13-point advantage at the top of the standings, ahead of a weekend off from match action.
Van Dijk and his teammates will return to the pitch next midweek when they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest.
"I think it was a great performance," Van Dijk reflected to Liverpoolfc.com post-match. "It was a good win.
"I think it was an intense 15 days if I’m correct – five games in 15 days. Very tough. I think we can be happy with the performance today offensively [and] defensively. Happy to get the clean sheet of course."
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister earned the win over Eddie Howe's visitors, with Liverpool making it back-to-back successes after the preceding result by the same scoreline at Manchester City.
Read on for the rest of the interview with Van Dijk…
On Szoboszlai's recent performances…
Everyone has to try to contribute to scoring goals. I'm very pleased for Dom for all his hard work that he puts in each and every game to be rewarded with goals and to be as important as he has been, especially in the last two games with the goals. I think the quality that Dom brings, the energy with the sprinting, the pressing and obviously on the ball he is a fantastic player – I'm very happy for him that in the last two games he scored two important goals. You just have to keep going and stay calm.
On the timing of Mac Allister's goal coming at an important point in the match…
We were always trying to fight for the second goal. It's a difficult team to play against, but I think the second goal was outstanding – great finish. Obviously that was a bit of a killer for them and I think after that we controlled the game in a very good way in possession. We let them run and find the spare man.
On keeping thoughts firmly on each game after moving 13 points clear…
I think also because I've been twice on the wrong side. There's no point thinking what could be. I think the main thing for all of us, and I can definitely confirm that the players will, is focusing on the next one and the next one. Now we have a little bit of a gap. We focus now on recovery of course and then we have a couple of days off and then we focus on the Champions League. It will be a very big test as well. Then we focus back on the league and go again.
On getting the chance to rest over the weekend…
It's difficult to say because obviously I know how much it means to us and the fans to win the FA Cup. But at this stage of the season you could argue it because sometimes you stay in the rhythm as well and sometimes it's good to get a rest. We have to maximise rest now because there is no other way, and be ready for PSG in the week.
On Mohamed Salah's recent form…
The only thing is, and I think he mentioned it himself as well, we want to win the Premier League. We want to win obviously as much as possible this season. If we keep going, if he keeps going then he will be rewarded anyway for all the hard work he puts in each and every day. We all will be rewarded and that's the main goal. Me and him speak a lot about certain things with the team. Our main objective is to win the Premier League and do everything in our power to do that and I think so far, so good. We just have to keep going.
