Liverpool defender and captain Virgil van Dijk has been speaking after his side beat Everton 2-0 thanks to an Anfield brace from Mohamed Salah in the second half.
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Virgil van Dijk, the esteemed defender of Liverpool, has acknowledged the palpable change and renewed energy surrounding the club following a summer of transformations. With the departure of long-serving midfielders and the addition of new talents, Liverpool has undergone a significant revamp in its squad.
This overhaul has proven fruitful for manager Jürgen Klopp, who himself appears rejuvenated after a challenging previous season that saw Liverpool finish fifth without any silverware. The Liverpool team of today has been dubbed “Liverpool 2.0,” and Van Dijk sees the optimism and freshness that surround the team following their most recent 2-0 victory over Everton, which lifted them to the top of the Premier League table (for a little while, until Manchester City defeated Brighton).
Van Dijk acknowledges the transition that has taken place within the team, both in terms of playing style and personnel. The introduction of new players with different qualities has allowed them to adapt and perform at a high level.
The Liverpool captain said to TNT Sports (transcribed by the ECHO), “There has been a transition, of course, also in the way we play, different players with different qualities and trying to adapt.” “It’s working quite well. Everyone is pushing each other and playing at a high level. That’s the key to success, hopefully this season.”
Van Dijk emphasizes that pushing each other and maintaining consistency are key factors in achieving what Liverpool wants this season. Reflecting on the previous campaign, Van Dijk candidly admits that towards the end, everyone felt drained and disappointed due to the lack of consistency. The team would have impressive victories followed by unexpected losses, leading to frustration among the players. However, after a short break in the summer, they returned with a renewed sense of energy and a different vibe within the club.
He said, “To be completely honest, everyone was exhausted at the end of the season last year.” “It was such a disappointing season because we didn’t find the consistency. We had one excellent game that I will not bring up here, but we played Manchester United and came away with a big victory here at home before losing to Bournemouth the following day.
