Virgil van Dijk backs Konate response and highlights Ekitike impact as Liverpool stabilise

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday carried significance beyond the scoreline. Back-to-back clean sheets, achieved only for the third time in a testing campaign, offered rare defensive reassurance and extended a five-match unbeaten run following a damaging sequence of nine defeats from 12 outings.

For Arne Slot, the challenge has consistently been sustaining progress. Earlier clean-sheet runs against Arsenal and Burnley, and later Aston Villa and Real Madrid, quickly gave way to regression. With Tottenham Hotspur next on the schedule, Liverpool now face another opportunity to demonstrate that recent improvement represents something more enduring.

While attention last week centred on Mohamed Salah’s public criticism and the pressure surrounding the head coach, the performances of Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike have also shaped Liverpool’s narrative. Virgil van Dijk, speaking after the Brighton win, offered clear support for both players while reinforcing the standards required as the season enters a defining phase.

Defensive discipline setting platform

Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings have been well documented this season, making the recent shut-outs particularly welcome. Van Dijk emphasised that preventing chances remains the cornerstone of any sustained success.

“It’s obviously the basis to success, to not concede chances, let alone goals,” the captain said. “Unfortunately we conceded far too many and that’s the reality, but we can only look ahead, try to avoid goals, and that’s what we did in the last two games.

“The season is very long and we want to keep doing that but obviously it’s a lot of work that will be needed. Everyone at his best helps, everyone in the team, that’s why it’s a team sport.”

Liverpool limited Brighton effectively, building on a similarly controlled midweek display against Inter Milan. For Van Dijk, collective responsibility remains non-negotiable, particularly during periods when confidence has been fragile.

Konate earns backing after scrutiny

Konate has found himself under increased scrutiny following a costly error at Leeds United, where a rash challenge conceded a penalty during a chaotic 3-3 draw. With the defender entering the final months of his contract and speculation swirling around his future, criticism has been unforgiving.

Van Dijk, however, framed Konate’s response as an example of resilience rather than vulnerability.

“Ibou is a fantastic defender and obviously when the team is not performing as a collective, then we as the last line can be exposed,” he said.

“That happened at times as well as individual mistakes costing us, including myself at times. Unfortunately that’s part of the game.

“It’s how you deal with it, how you react to it. Ibou as an example has been, in the last two games, especially outstanding.

“He’s working on things like we all do, he helps me, I help him, and that’s how it should be.

“We are not perfect, he wants the best for the club, and I’m pretty sure that will be absolutely fine.”

Konate’s improved displays against Inter and Brighton have strengthened Liverpool’s defensive unit at a moment when stability has been badly needed.

Ekitike delivering amid inconsistency

In contrast to the defensive uncertainty, Hugo Ekitike has provided consistent output in attack. The French forward now has 10 goals for the season, including consecutive Premier League braces against Leeds and Brighton, in a campaign where Liverpool have often struggled to find rhythm.

“I think he’s doing well obviously,” Van Dijk said. “Very clinical, I think, great finish. The corner obviously as well.

“I was also behind him but he did it himself! Obviously he’s important with his goals and his hard work that he put in.

“He wants more from himself and we all want a lot from him and the rest of the team.

“It’s not been an easy season but for him to come in and produce these numbers, that’s something we need, we want and he wants.

“He just has to stay calm and keep working and help himself but also the rest of the team and Alex (Isak) as well to be in their best shape. I’m pretty sure he will be fine.”

Van Dijk reiterates trust in Slot

Despite the turbulence surrounding Liverpool in recent weeks, Van Dijk was emphatic in his support for Slot, insisting the head coach has handled external pressure calmly and effectively.

“I think he’s handled the situation very well,” he said. “Calm, in his own way.

“It’s a very tricky situation, there’s a lot of noise and pressure from the outside world and rightly so because we have not been close to the standard that we showed last season.

“But we are all human beings and everyone reacts in a certain way and can deal with situations in a certain way.

“But I think personally looking at it and the conversations we both had on a daily basis, I think he handled it very well. We just have to keep going.

“He’s obviously at a club that is a very together club and that’s how it’s been before our time at the club and it’s something we have to keep going.

“We go through the good times together as a team, as a club, as a fanbase, and sometimes when difficult moments arise we also have to stick together.

“I think this moment of time is a very good moment to see how everyone responds to that. I think the manager did perfectly so far.”

Liverpool’s immediate task is translating words into consistency. With Van Dijk setting the tone, Konate rediscovering form, and Ekitike delivering goals, the foundations are in place — the next step is proving they can hold.