ReactionVirgil van Dijk: A very good response - now consistency is the key
Virgil van Dijk praised a ‘very good’ Liverpool reaction to come from behind and beat AC Milan, while stressing the importance of consistency.
The Reds were a goal down within three minutes of Tuesday night’s Champions League tie at San Siro as Christian Pulisic struck to put I Rossoneri ahead.
But Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk – making his 50th European appearance for the club – each netted with a header before the interval, and Dominik Szoboszlai’s deft finish in the second half ensured a 3-1 win and three points to begin the league phase.
“A goal and a win at the San Siro after a difficult start. The way we worked today after the start was outstanding,” Van Dijk told Amazon Prime post-match.
Read on for a summary of the captain’s full reaction in Italy…
On a strong response to last weekend’s league defeat…
Obviously it was very disappointing at the weekend in so many ways, especially the last part of that game. It was very frustrating to witness and be part of, but we had a chance to put it right and I think we did. Like I said, a shaky start with the goal that we conceded; that started from the side, we were late, everywhere we were late and they capitalised on it. But after that, the way we stayed calm and kept playing and kept looking for the solution, it was very good to see.
On what is different under new head coach Arne Slot…
Obviously we all know what Jürgen Klopp meant to the club over the years, what he brought to the football club, the city, the Premier League, his style of play. Obviously the new manager coming in has his ideas; I don’t think so many things are different, I think there are small, subtle changes that we do in possession, and positioning at times. I think we all enjoy that as well. We had an amazing time with Jürgen Klopp and hopefully we can have an amazing time with Arne Slot as well.
On whether having several Dutch players in the squad helps Slot…
I don’t want to put all the credit on all the Dutch players! But I think we all know, and everyone at Liverpool knew, he inherited a very good squad in my opinion – talented and with experience. But obviously it’s about doing it on a consistent basis, week in, week out. And with the amount of games we play now, we have to be consistent if we want to achieve things.
Like we said before, during the weekend it was disappointing and if we have those types of blips, we can’t be achieving good things this season. We all know that and we have to all step up. Today was a good reaction and something we have to build on. We’re going to have a tough game at the weekend [against AFC Bournemouth] as well, a very good football team that make it difficult for a lot of football teams.
On what the Reds have to do now moving forward…
It sounds very easy but the consistency. You have to stay fit, you have to do everything in your power to be ready for the next game, whether you start or not and you have to feel part of winning games. So we need all the guys to be ready, the guys on the bench, there might be disappointment. Today we made two [changes] with [Andy] Robertson and Luis Diaz and obviously they want to play these games but we need everyone in the best shape of their life and respect the decisions.
That’s key in order to be successful, because there will be rotation but we need everyone to keep pushing and do everything in their power to stay fit. We go home now, we’re back home in the middle of the night but recovery starts already, eat the right stuff. Because on Saturday it will be a very tough game and we need everyone at their best. That’s key. We are in a cycle and if we want to be successful, you have to make that sacrifice as well.
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