Virgil Van Dijk has responded to suggestions that fans had grown tired of the Reds this season, during poor performances, after Liverpool resoundingly got back to winning ways against Galatasaray.
The reigning Premier League champions couldn’t have dreamed of a better night if they tried, as the 1-0 defeat from the first leg in Turkey was emphatically turned around, leading to Arne Slot’s men running away with the second leg as 4-0 victors.
This was a win that was desperately needed, after the mood at Anfield had notably soured after the initial defeat at RAMS Park, and then a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur was mustered up.
Thankfully, the performance on Wednesday night was far more vintage Liverpool, as the Reds showed no mercy when bombing forward with pace and energy to burn.
Virgil Van Dijk was also switched on throughout, as an ever-present member of Slot’s backline this season, with the reliable Reds captain keeping the likes of Victor Osimhen at bay all evening.
Virgil van Dijk vs. Galatasaray (UCL Round of 16, second leg):
| Metric | Second leg performance |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Pass accuracy | 94% |
| Aerial duels won | 5.5 (100%) |
| Clearances | 6 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
Van Dijk’s comments after the 4-0 win
The Dutch colossus spoke to the media at length at the close of the confidence-boosting win, who thanked the fans for their lively energy at Anfield in getting the team over the line, when they might have folded otherwise.
He said: “There was a lot at stake, that was pretty obvious, so we had to show how much we wanted it together with our fans, who played a big part.
I played last week in Istanbul and saw how big an impact their fans had on their performance and it was clear to see our fans played a big part in our performance. We could have scored more goals but their goalkeeper still had a very good game in my opinion.
It’s a combination of performance and the fans, they play a big part in that. The fans can probably say if we bring that every week on the pitch then there is no issue and we can say if the fans bring that every three or four days then there is no issue either. It is about doing it together.
This season as players we take full responsibility for a lot of performances when we have not been good enough. But for me there is no point to speak about it right now after we qualified for the last eight because that is still a very good thing.”
The loyal Reds servant was also quick to fire back against claims that the connection between the players and the fans has been lost somewhat, due to the season being fraught with many difficulties.
He retorted: “That is a bit of a question I don’t like, I don’t like that tone to be honest.
“In all these years at Liverpool I’ve never ever questioned them (the fans) and I still don’t.
There is a reason why there is frustration this season because we had an amazing season last year; we became champions, we had consistent, good football, finding ways to win, and this season we have had so many ups and downs dealing with difficult moments and there has been frustration because we want to perform every three or four days as well.”
Van Dijk will hope more impassioned displays follow on from this monumental victory over Oran Buruk’s men, with the Liverpool masses no doubt set to travel down to Brighton and Hove Albion in their droves, to cheer on their beloved side.
It has been a bumpy season, in truth, but there are glimmers of hope now, as Van Dijk and his team mates. aim to stick together between now and the campaign finishing in May.
