Virgil van Dijk praised Liverpool’s resilience and togetherness after the Reds edged past Wolves with a 2-1 victory at Anfield earlier today. Speaking to club media in comments shared via Liverpool’s official X handle, the captain highlighted the importance of grinding out results, especially in a period defined by injuries and missing personnel, Softfootball reports.
Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row thanks to a blistering spell late in the first half, with Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz scoring twice in two minutes. Wolves responded after the break through Santiago Bueno, forcing Arne Slot’s side into a more defensive second-half display, but the Reds held firm to secure all three points.
The result comes at a time when Van Dijk has repeatedly stressed the need for unity within the squad. Earlier in the season, the Dutchman also voiced his hope that Mohamed Salah would return from AFCON and help lead the team during a crucial phase of the campaign, underlining the importance of experience and leadership in Liverpool’s push forward.
Reflecting on the performance and the challenge Wolves posed, Van Dijk said via the team’s official X handle:
Yes, definitely. I think unfortunately we conceded the goal quite early on [in the second half] and that gives them a big boost and some momentum for them to crack on. I think we played a very, very good first half and [scored] two good goals. [In] possession we were good, defensively we were solid and [had] no problems. Obviously they would come out with a lot more pressure [in the second half] and we have to try and do the same things, which [is what] we said at half-time.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that, but obviously that’s also part of how Wolves did that. Overall, we found a way and that is key, especially in the season and in the moment where we are and where we have a lot of injuries and players missing. It’s not an excuse for the second half, but obviously it’s good that we got the win and that’s very important.
On the collective effort required late on, the skipper added:
Obviously that’s part of the game. Towards the end you have to dig deep and especially when they have four up front and they go all in and they’re fighting for the second ball. But that’s part of the game as well that you have to be ready for and I think we showed that. It doesn’t always look the prettiest, but I think we’re glad that we got the win and it’s on to the next [game].
Van Dijk also took time to single out Florian Wirtz, a player he has previously backed publicly, urging patience as the midfielder adapted to the Premier League. That faith was rewarded as Wirtz netted his first Liverpool goal after a run of over 18 appearances without scoring.
On Wirtz’s moment, he said:
He’s getting more used to the intensity and the way we play. He’s very important on the ball and obviously his qualities there is no debate about. We are very pleased for him, but he should be very pleased with the goal as well. I think after 60 minutes or something he was quite tired so that’s something he and we have to work on as well in order to do that every three days for 90 minutes.
With momentum building and key players beginning to contribute decisively, Liverpool will look to carry this winning mentality into their upcoming fixtures as they continue to navigate a demanding stretch of the season.
