Liverpool’s Dutch international defender Virgil van Dijk has said he joined The Reds to challenge for trophies and is delighted that is exactly what they are doing this season.
Van Dijk, along with Alisson, is credited with having the biggest impact upon this Liverpool squad thanks to the fantastic defensive record the team holds in the Premier League this season.
With just 18 goals conceded in 31 league games, The Reds’ defence has changed from what used to be a running joke among football fans to a section of the team that can be almost completely relied upon to grind out a result when necessary.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Van Dijk spoke about his reasons for joining Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool revolution.
“It’s definitely what I wanted.
“You hope to be in this kind of position – challenging for the Premier League title, being as far as we are in the Champions League now and reaching the final last season.
“I think the ultimate thing would be winning something with Liverpool and we still have any chance to win it. So let’s just go for it.”
“The most important thing is to enjoy it. We have to give it our all and make sure we have no regrets at the end of it.”
Liverpool’s number 4 also highlighted the different pressures faced as a centre-half in a top team.
“In my position when things are going well it’s pretty easy to say that I’m sort of the guy that fixes everything.
“But if things are going bad then I’m the one that gets all the blame. In the end, we all do it together. If you look at the way we play, defend and attack, it starts up front. The amount of work they do is unbelievable.
“In the back as well, obviously Alisson has come in, but look at Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Robbo [Robertson] has been outstanding. Dejan [Lovren], Joel [Matip] and obviously Joe [Gomez] before he got injured was amazing. I think everyone has played their part in it.
“It’s not about one player. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m feeling pretty good.”
Van Dijk and his Liverpool teammates return to action at 16:30 this Sunday when they face Spurs at Anfield in the Premier League.
It’s a fixture that Reds fans everywhere would be thrilled to come away from with all three points, no matter how the team goes about it.
To read our in-depth match preview click here.
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