Virgil van Dijk has clarified the mindset of the Reds and explained how their sangfroid and composure have allowed them to stay strong in the pressurised atmosphere of the title race.
Against Cardiff, we were made to work for the three points as we had to deal with some resolute defending before finally finding a way through in the second half thanks to Gini Wijnaldum.
“You try to keep a cool head and I think that’s something we have improved on during the season,” Van Dijk said to Liverpoolfc.com after the game.
Virgil van Dijk vs. Cardiff
81% Pass accuracy
11/14 Aerial duels won
1/1 Tackle won
5 Clearances
7 Recoveries
0 Losses of possessionAnother week, another dominant performance from van Dijk. He has now won 35/35 tackles in the Premier League and still yet to be dribbled past. pic.twitter.com/phMPZrF7Eg
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) April 21, 2019
“Just keep doing what we are doing, don’t panic and we will get opportunities because we have plenty of quality in the team and no team can defend at their highest level for 90 minutes.
“So there will always be slight moments of spaces that we can exploit and I think we did it,” he concluded.
The Dutchman’s comments aren’t just hot air. The patient win against Cardiff was just one more example of many where the Reds have kept their cool and kept plugging away.
The late goal against Spurs at the end of March was our third winning goal in the 90th minute in the Premier League this season. A statistic no other side in the league can better.
Liverpool have scored late goals to win points against the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, Southampton, Fulham and Everton in the league and PSG in the CL. The boys have also won most points from losing positions in the PL this season.
Fucking bunch of mentality monsters, indeed.
— RF9 🇧🇷 (@SambaRole) April 15, 2019
Two late goals against Southampton and another two second-half goals at home to Chelsea show that the Reds are confident that the quality in their ranks will eventually shine through.
Speaking of quality, winning at Cardiff has pushed our points tally to a club-high 88 points with three games left to go. The title is back in our hands again and Manchester City need to win their derby.
“The only thing we can do is keep playing and keep winning,” Van Dijk claimed. “Keep enjoying it and hopefully the weather stays nice and let’s go for it.
“We need everyone, we need all of the fans, and like today as well we had great support, so we will see how it ends.”