- Virgil van Dijk discusses early stages of Liverpool career
- Dutchman scored debut goal in FA Cup win over Everton
- Defender has produced string of dominant performances in recent weeks
- SEE MORE: £136m star reveals he could have played for Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk admits he wasn’t fit enough to thrive in Liverpool’s physically-demanding approach during his first two weeks at the club.
The Dutchman arrived on the first day of the January transfer window before scoring a dramatic late winner on his debut in Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Everton four days later.
Having missed the 4-3 win over Manchester City the following week, Van Dijk’s next appearances arrived in disappointing defeats away to Swansea in the league and at home to West Brom in the FA Cup.
He has since oozed class at the heart of the Reds’ defence and started to display the composure, leadership and physicality that fuelled his £75million transfer fee.
“The most important thing is to get to know everyone and get to know how we like to play, and everything around it. And on the pitch, do it and show it,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“The way we plays costs a lot of energy, you need to be 100 per cent fit physically. In the first two-and-a-half weeks, that’s what needed to be much better than it was.”
“In the last two weeks it has gone very well – I feel good. It’s getting better every day.”
Van Dijk’s notable standout performances have arrived over the past three weeks, with the 26-year-old asserting his dominance in wins over Southampton, Porto and West Ham.
His Champions League debut was especially encouraging as the former Southampton man spearheaded a fine defensive display to compliment Liverpool’s five-goal masterclass at the other end of the pitch.
The Reds’ record signing is beginning to rediscover some rhythm having endured a stuttering start to the campaign following his lengthy injury layoff in 2017.
With 10 league games remaining, he promises to be key in the club’s fight for European qualification.