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Tag: Van Dijk

  • Qatar 2022: I feel sorry for Sadio Mane – Van Dijk

    Qatar 2022: I feel sorry for Sadio Mane – Van Dijk

    Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has revealed Sadio Mane won’t be able to feature for the Senegal national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    Van Dijk, who is at the World Cup with the Netherlands, spoke about his old Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane’s fitness.

    The Senegal winger is struggling to recover from a leg injury to ensure he is available for his team’s group-stage games.

    Regarding former team-mate Mane, Van Dijk told reporters: “It’s going to be tough if he plays or not.

    “I don’t think he will play, but Senegal have a fantastic team.

    “Of course (I have spoken to him). I was feeling sad for him, first and foremost. I’m not happy in this case and I’ve been in that situation where I missed the Euros. We as players work so hard to get to this stage and he has been such an important figure for his country.

    “I know for a fact that he will put a brave face on it, but it’s tough and I feel sorry for him. I just want to tell him that whether he plays or not, it’s going to be such a tough game.”

  • EPL: Van Dijk explains how Liverpool stopped Haaland

    EPL: Van Dijk explains how Liverpool stopped Haaland

    Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk has explained how the Reds stopped Haaland from scoring in the match against City at Anfield.

    Van Dijk added that they try to prevent the Norwegian from getting the balls and try to close him up in the match.

    Haaland has scored 15 Premier League goals in nine games in his first season with Manchester City.

    Although the Reds is just about the first team to stop Halaand from scoring against them twice.

    Van Dijk was at the heart of Liverpool’s defense, with Joe Gomez and James Milner both starting.

    “That’s what defenders have to do, try it, yeah carry on. That’s what you have to do every game, you drop off a slight percentage, they will punish you.

    “We did very well, important to get the clean sheet and move on so we’re focusing on West Ham,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

    Manchester City succumbed to their first EPL defeat of the season to Liverpool after Mo Salah scored in the 73rf minute and it proved to be the only goal of the encounter.

  • Liverpool’s Mo salah,Van Dijk in late fitness test ahead of Southampton clash

    Liverpool’s Mo salah,Van Dijk in late fitness test ahead of Southampton clash

    Liverpool’s duo of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could miss Tuesday’s crunchy must win encounter with Southampton due to Injuries.

    Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool were assessing the fitness of the two players to ascertain if they can feature in Tuesday match with the Saints.

    The quadruple-chasing Reds were given fresh hope they could pip Manchester City to the title when Pep Guardiola’s team dropped two points in a 2-2 draw at West Ham on Sunday.

    Defending champions City, with one game remaining, are four points clear at the top of the table with a significantly better goal difference than their rivals, who have two games left.

    Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalties 6-5 after playing goalless draw in 120 minutes in the FA Cup at the Wembley stadium last week Saturday.

    Both Van Dijk and Mo Salah were forced out of the game due to groin injuries.

    Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who missed the cup final with a muscle injury, is not yet ready to return, but Scotland defender Andy Robertson should be available after suffering cramp on Saturday.

    “This process has not finished yet because we only played the 120 minutes two days ago,” Klopp told reporters yesterday. “So when the boys arrive today I have to make a lot of decisions. Then we will line up a team.

    “What I can promise and definitely say is we will line up a team only for one reason – to try to win the game at Southampton, as difficult as it is, because that obviously is the job to do.

    “We have to see who is able to help. The 30 extra minutes (at Wembley) made a big difference, but we have to see.”

    Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28, can cut City’s lead to a single point with victory at St Mary’s, but Klopp does not expect Guardiola’s side to slip up again.

    City host Aston Villa next Sunday while Liverpool play Wolves at Anfield.

    “I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow,” said Klopp. “Is it a chance, a big chance? I wouldn’t say so because I don’t know when City dropped points the last time two games in a row historically.

    “So Aston Villa has to play in midweek when they are not used to that. As much as I’m sure they’re all professionals and these kind of things, they want to go at City, but City is a pretty good football team. So, I don’t expect City to drop points there.”

    Klopp said the FA Cup win, which followed Liverpool’s League Cup triumph earlier this season, took the pressure off the club in the final weeks of the season.

    “If we play a season like we play and win the Carabao (League) Cup and fight until the end for the league title, that’s, for me, a really good season,” he said.

    “It feels much better that we won already two (trophies), to be honest.

    “If we would have lost the final, the negative scenario that we will not become champions and in a few weeks you are all not shy of reminding me that it all depends on one game if it’s a success or not and these kind of things.”

  • EPL: Van Dijk reveals main key to his form

    EPL: Van Dijk reveals main key to his form

    Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says a good family life is key to his form.

    Van Dijk is back to his best this season after recovering from knee surgery.

    He told De Telegraaf: “I have set the bar high myself.

    “When you’re on the pitch, everyone thinks you’re 100 per cent and I understand that.

    “Whether you have been ill or were out for a year due to a serious injury does not count for the outside world.

    “You’ve won all those awards and so that’s become the standard. I do my very best at this club and try to play the best match I can play every week.

    “There are certainly times when it could have been better.

    “But I am human and everyone makes mistakes.

    “I know that I do everything I can to stay at the top level, but we live in an age when everyone has an opinion, especially on social media.

    “That can have an impact on your well-being. You can easily go under.

    “Football is super important in my life, but there is still something above.

    “That’s my family. As long as there’s nothing wrong with them, I can manage everything else well.”

  • Qatar 2022: Virgil Van Dijk insists Dutch deserve to qualify

    Qatar 2022: Virgil Van Dijk insists Dutch deserve to qualify

    Netherlands captain, Virgil van Dijk, says his country’s World Cup qualification was deserved in spite anxious last two qualifying matches before eventually booking their place at Qatar 2022 tournament.

    The Dutch, who missed out on the 2018 finals in Russia, ensured top place in Group G with a 2-0 win over Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday to finish ahead of Turkey.

    But they had let slip a chance in Montenegro at the weekend to earn early qualification and were anxious as they faced Norway, who needed victory to usurp them in the standings.

    It was not until the last six minutes that the Dutch made sure with goals from Steve Bergwijn and Memphis Depay.

    “It was deserved. I don’t think we gave anything away, nothing at all,” insisted Van Dijk.

    “After Saturday, we were asked to respond and we did an excellent job. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but it was all about the result.”

    Van Dijk said he had embraced the tension of the occasion, made more eerie by the fact no spectators were allowed into De Kuip because of new COVID-19 restrictions.

    “These are the games you want to play, there was a lot of pressure. I can’t speak for everyone, but I was really looking forward to it.

    Van Dijk missed the European Championship in mid-year because of a serious knee injury sustained early last season with Liverpool, making World Cup qualification all the sweeter.

    “I can’t wait to lead this group of guys and create something beautiful. It’s still a long way to the World Cup, but we deserved to qualify.”

  • Virgil Van Dijk slams Netherlands teammates

    Virgil Van Dijk slams Netherlands teammates

    Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk turned on his Netherlands teammates after their 2-2 draw with Montenegro.

    The result leaves their World Cup qualifying hopes in the balance.

    “I don’t know what to say. Unbelievable. Speechless,” Van Dijk stammered post-match. “It is outrageous how we played the second half. We want to attack, we want to score, but you also have to think defensively.

    “Space is created on the counter when we don’t have the organisation right. This is just awful.”

    He added, “When we are in possession of the ball, I think we should always occupy the defensive midfield position. That’s where the spaces were created today. Sometimes you just have to solve it professionally.”

    When asked whether this specifically meant criticism of Frenkie de Jong, the stopper answered in the negative.

    “No, anyone can fill that position during a match.”

  • I am not a robot – Van Dijk

    I am not a robot – Van Dijk

    Virgil van Dijk has delivered an update on his fitness after coming through a first Premier League outing in 10 months, with the Liverpool looking to curb expectations by pointing out that he is not “a robot”.

    Asked on how he feels after coming through 90 minutes against the Canaries, Van Dijk told reporters: “Being back is not the closing of a chapter.

    “It is still getting there. I wanted to be out there. I wanted to be playing from the first match because I feel I need it and it will improve me. From my point of view, knowing my own body, there are plenty of things to improve but I am not a robot.

    “I cannot be back to 100 per cent immediately. The thing is I have played and the first one was very emotional and very tough for many reasons. You visualise the game so many times in your head before you actually play.

    “I was tired because of everything around the game. It was sort of like a hurdle. I had to get over that, I felt like then it will come again. So that is what happened in my point of view.

    “I kept training well and felt confident in my knee. It’s been a tough road but I am just happy to be out there again.”

  • Van Dijk and Gomez join Liverpool squad for Austria training camp

    Van Dijk and Gomez join Liverpool squad for Austria training camp

    Long-term injured defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez plus new signing Ibrahima Konate will all kick off pre-season at Liverpool’s training camp in Austria on Monday.

    Van Dijk and Gomez have not played since October and November respectively after sustaining serious knee injuries.

    But they will join up with a 34-man squad at their base in the state of Tyrol.

    The squad however has missing players in those who were, or still are, involved in Euro 2020 and the Copa America.

    Konate will meet his new teammates for the first time following his 36-million-pound (49.7-million-dollar) move from RB Leipzig.

    Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had to pull out of England’s Euro 2020 squad on the eve of the tournament with a thigh muscle tear, is also in the squad.

    He is there along with 11 academy players.

    “We look forward to going to Austria again for the start of our pre-season. All the conditions to prepare the team there are just at a very high level,” assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders told the club homepage.

    “We will use this to go back to basics. When you ask a lot from your players you have to give a lot as well —- and we find all of this in Austria.”

  • Van Dijk rules himself out of Holland’s Euro 2020 campaign

    Van Dijk rules himself out of Holland’s Euro 2020 campaign

    Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has ruled himself out of playing for the Netherlands at this summer’s European Championship.

    The 29-year-old is recovering from surgery after suffering knee ligament damage in October.

    “I feel physically it is the right decision that I’ve decided not to go to the Euros and to go into my last phase of rehab in the off-season,” said Netherlands captain Van Dijk.

    “It’s tough, but I’m at peace with it.”

    The Euros are taking place between 11 June and 11 July, having been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Van Dijk said that he had not suffered a setback in his rehabilitation and he had “progressed nicely” but, in the latest stage of his recovery, had decided he could not play at this summer’s tournament.

    “I think the decision to not go is the right decision in the grand scheme of things,” added Van Dijk, speaking to the Liverpool website.

    “I am very gutted to miss the Euros, to miss the European Championship and leading out my own country there, but things have been like they have and I have to accept it – we all have to accept it.

    “I think the decision to not go is the right decision in the grand scheme of things.”

    Van Dijk’s absence for Liverpool, who are sixth in the Premier League as they struggle to secure a Champions League spot, has been compounded by long-term injuries to fellow centre-backs Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

    The Dutchman will now be aiming for the “realistic goal” of returning for pre-season with Liverpool.

    Van Dijk said: “I am aiming for that and it looks like it is going to happen, but obviously you never know in football and you never know in life, but I am feeling very positive and ready to go. We’ll see.”

  • I told Van Dijk not to rush injury comeback – Lovren

    I told Van Dijk not to rush injury comeback – Lovren

    Zenit St Petersburg defender Dejan Lovren has lifted his reunion with former Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk.

    Lovren caught up with Van Dijk in Dubai, where Zenit had a warm weather camp and the Dutchman was continuing his rehab from knee surgery.

    He told Sport-Express: “We talked about his recovery, about the knee. You know that Virgil has a serious injury – the cruciate ligaments are damaged. Moreover, when this happened, at first he did not even feel anything: he started walking – everything is fine, and after a few steps it gets worse and worse.

    “But I hope he will be back on line soon. I advised van Dijk not to force the return for Euro 2020. If there is a risk of relapse, it is better to wait. He’s young for a centre-back, just 29 years old. There will still be major tournaments in his career.”