Forward of the Tremendous Sunday conflict in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk sat down with Gary Neville for a wide-ranging interview.
The reigning Premier League champions have had a troublesome marketing campaign and are two factors outdoors the highest 4 heading into this weekend’s spherical of fixtures.
They’re an additional eight factors behind Manchester Metropolis – who’re second – and 14 factors behind league leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect had been 3-0 winners in opposition to Liverpool in November however the Reds have gained their final two matches by a 10-1 scoreline, and can have a lift in confidence heading into Sunday’s match at Anfield.
Van Dijk mentioned the Reds’ type this season and what has modified, the significance of Champions League soccer and far more with Sky Sports activities pundit Neville…
Van Dijk’s causes behind Liverpool’s type this season…
“You possibly can’t put it on one specific level.
“It is the transition, the depth, the decision-making, it is typically luck, as a result of that is a part of the sport. It may both go your means or the opposite means. The primary 5 video games of the season, we now have to be on the appropriate aspect, and there have been video games after that the place we have not been on the appropriate aspect.
“It is a course of that we now have to get via, personally as gamers, however as a staff as nicely.
“It [the intensity] is enjoying each three or 4 days, Champions League soccer, travelling, bodily calls for, but in addition the psychological aspect of it.
“It is a recreation of 11 gamers on the pitch, however in whole, it is 14 or 15 that must attempt to win the sport and everyone seems to be coping with sure issues in a sure means. I am attempting to assist every certainly one of them, as a result of I would like the very best for the membership, I would like the very best for the gamers.
“It is a course of that we now have to get via, and with how inconsistent it has been, it is powerful to take.
“For me personally, it hurts being on the dropping aspect, which I’ve not been on many instances in my Liverpool profession. It has been a constant aspect over all these years, and now being ready the place we’re having good video games, after which dropping down, that is one thing we now have to tackle board and enhance, and do this collectively.
“Among the video games, the calls for and the best way that groups are enjoying in opposition to us makes us adapt slightly bit in sure issues, however more often than not we’re attempting to do the identical or higher in possession, how an opponent is urgent.
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“However at instances, we now have not been in a position to try this for 90-plus minutes, and that is been a really huge challenge, particularly within the first a part of the season.”
Requested if he was referring to gamers which have come into the membership and the calls for of enjoying for Liverpool, Van Dijk mentioned: “That is undoubtedly a component, but in addition for the gamers which have been right here, being the [Premier League] champions is one thing that you need to cope with.
“The stress that comes with it and it isn’t as simple as everybody would assume it’s. It’s totally troublesome to retain a title, regardless. We could not do it the final time we grew to become champions, and sadly we will not do it this yr.”
‘We 100 per cent want Champions League soccer’
Following Arne Slot’s feedback that enjoying good soccer is extra vital than trophies, Jamie O’Hara argued that Liverpool are attaining neither, and mentioned if they do not make Champions League this season, the supervisor has to go
Van Dijk was requested if Liverpool have to be enjoying within the Champions League subsequent season. “100 per cent,” he mentioned, “as a result of I wish to play Champions League soccer and everybody else desires to as nicely.
“However going into my final season [of his current contract], I must play Champions League soccer, so we’re working very exhausting to guarantee that we do this.
“I nonetheless really feel this season may nonetheless be particular, even after all of the difficulties we had over the summer season, throughout the first a part of the season and with accidents. We’re within the Champions League, we’re within the FA Cup nonetheless, so we’ll see what occurs.
“However we want consistency, we have to work, we have to get pleasure from it as nicely, as a result of we’re very privileged to have the ability to go on the market each time, characterize the membership and play good soccer.”
‘Pundits have responsibility of accountability to new technology of gamers’
Van Dijk speaks to Gary Neville on the position of media in soccer and the way it impacts gamers
Earlier this season, Van Dijk was concerned in a back-and-forth with former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney over his critiques of the defender.
The 2 appeared collectively on Amazon Prime the place the Reds skipper confronted Rooney over his feedback after Liverpool had overwhelmed Actual Madrid within the Champions League.
Van Dijk believes ex-players turned pundits have to be cautious with their criticism, given the present local weather of social media and sensationalist headlines.
“For me personally, I can cope with it, however I am a bit apprehensive for the subsequent technology. I really feel just like the ex-top gamers have a accountability to the brand new technology.
Sky Sports activities’ Vicky Gomersall speaks to Arne Slot, Richard Hughes and Billy Hogan within the newest Reds Roundtable. You possibly can watch the total 35-minute dialogue on the Liverpool FC YouTube Channel
“Criticism is completely regular and a part of the sport, and I feel it ought to keep that means. However typically criticism additionally goes into being clickbait, saying issues to impress issues, and with out serious about the repercussions for a psychological aspect of gamers, and particularly the youthful technology, who’re consistently on social media.
“You possibly can say, ‘yeah, you should not be on social media’ – that is what I’ve talked about [to them] a great deal of instances.
“There may be at all times this factor of once you play an excellent recreation, youthful gamers test all of the constructive praises, however when you might have a worse recreation, and also you’re getting bullied throughout social media otherwise you’re getting unhealthy criticism, it may possibly actually have an effect on you. I’ve seen that in sure gamers previously, and at the moment as nicely, as a result of it is simply not simple.
Sky Sports activities Information’ Vinny O’Connor assesses the enterprise Liverpool have carried out within the January switch window
“It should worsen and worse as a result of the platforms these days, with the clickbait and the headlines, everyone seems to be on it consistently.
“I really feel like particularly the ex-pros, prime gamers who’ve been via all the things as nicely, they’ve this accountability of defending slightly little bit of that aspect as nicely. That is one thing perhaps to take a look at.”
What does retirement maintain?
Van Dijk turns 35 in July and has 18 months left on his present Liverpool deal, with retirement plans now certainly in his ideas.
On if he would go into punditry himself, Van Dijk mentioned: “I would by no means say by no means, as a result of I really feel like I’ve that platform of claiming or doing the appropriate factor, however I do not see myself being a pundit.
“I do not assume I see myself being a coach. I really feel such as you’re stepping from one world by way of being beneath stress consistently – not that I do not prefer it as a result of it is a part of what I wished to be – to then quitting for slightly bit after which return in it, after which additionally don’t have any management actually of what is going on to occur on the pitch.
Van Dijk turns 35 in July, and nonetheless performs on the prime degree for each membership and nation
“I actually like inspiring the subsequent technology. I am on the academy quite a bit as a result of I really feel like these are the blokes which might be finally going to maintain Liverpool up there.
“I’ve my very own youth match and I wish to be sure it is the largest U13s match on the earth, so one thing with that. I do know what it brings to these kids, and I actually like that. However let’s have a look at, there’s loads of time.”
‘Haaland is the modern-day striker’
On dealing with Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland, Van Dijk mentioned :”He’s an incredible striker, and I’ve performed in opposition to Erling for therefore a few years now. He is a modern-day striker – sturdy, quick, a born goal-scorer, and will probably be powerful.
“The sport over there was very powerful and it may very well be a completely totally different recreation if we take it again, however ultimately, the second half, we had a well-deserved loss there.
“However Sunday is one other alternative, a recreation that is at all times been troublesome, it has been an excellent ambiance, and it is one thing to stay up for. It will be good to be there once more with one another.”
Watch Liverpool vs Man Metropolis stay on Sky Sports activities Premier League and Major Occasion from 4pm on Tremendous Sunday. Kick-off 4.30pm.
