There’s a superb interview with Virgil van Dijk from Melissa Reddy in ESPN, and we’d urge you to check it out in full!
In it, the defender speaks in length about his role at Liverpool right now and our hopes for the new season, but our favourite section was when the Dutchman described his feelings about our victorious Champions League Final.
The Dutchman explains how our usual football was impossible due to the anxiety the team was feeling – but how following Divock Origi’s winner – nobody cared how ‘shit’ the football was!
“We were dropping back, we were defending like mad. At one point, we were just hoofing the ball forward, but it was the mental aspect,” he said. “Usually we would build from the back, play our own football, but going 1-0 up after two minutes [through Mohamed Salah’s penalty] is just a crazy situation in such a big game. Everyone can say what they want about how shit the final was, but for us it didn’t matter after Divock scored the goal.”
Van Dijk was imperious yesterday against Manchester City, but it sadly wasn’t enough for us to clinch the Community Shield.
Liverpool’s performance was very encouraging though, especially following the drab summer friendlies that made some fans worry about the upcoming campaign.
It’ll be mighty interesting to see who starts alongside van Dijk on Friday v Norwich.
Joe Gomez got the nod at Wembley, but interestingly, Joel Matip came on, which moved Gomez to right-back, and scored our equaliser.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looked a little off the pace, and it may be that both Gomez and Matip start at Anfield, allowing the Scouser a rest after a tough pre-season.
We have faith in anybody Jurgen Klopp selects, of course, largely down to van Dijk beside them!