Virgil van Dijk performed a key function in Liverpool holding a clear sheet of their Premier League opener at Norwich
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk feels his first Premier League look since final October was an enormous step in the direction of placing behind him a “mentally robust” 10 months out by harm.
“It is a good begin. Now we now have time to recuperate for subsequent week,” Van Dijk stated.
“To be again on the market serving to the boys, I hope to proceed that. I would like video games – the supervisor is aware of it, I do know it.”
He added: “Ultimately 3-0 sounds snug however at occasions, particularly on the finish, we have been making it tough for ourselves. Possibly that is fatigue, possibly we are able to do higher – we’ll take a look at it.”
Van Dijk suffered a critical knee harm in a conflict with Jordan Pickford throughout a 2-2 draw with Everton on 17 October final yr and admitted he discovered it tough having to look at as Liverpool’s title defence faltered.
“Mentally it is robust,” Van Dijk instructed Sky Sports activities. “Sooner or later you are totally match, the following you are stuffed with medicine and in ache.
“Everybody has their opinion [on what happened] and also you learn these issues as a result of you don’t have anything to do! We had extra accidents in key positions so could not play our sport, the best way we need to play, with excessive stress.
“The blokes did a improbable job to return by it. Hopefully we are able to construct on it and keep match as a result of we will not take that without any consideration both.”
Norwich 0-3 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp delighted to have soccer again
Liverpool completed third within the Premier League final season, 17 factors behind champions Manchester Metropolis, however rallied late on to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
They are going to be optimistic of offering a better problem this season, with their injured defenders returning and their attacking gamers taking a look at their greatest in opposition to Norwich.
Mohamed Salah scored twice and likewise offered assists for Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino at Carrow Street.
Probably title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United each received on Saturday whereas Manchester Metropolis get their defence underneath approach in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday [16:30 BST].
“It is thrilling to see the Premier League like this, all of the gamers coming again, and I get pleasure from it,” added Van Dijk.
“Fascinated with our personal group, if we keep match, we now have a superb likelihood to be up there. To play in opposition to world-class strikers once more and world-class groups, and when you’ll be able to’t predict the place you can be on the finish of the season, it is thrilling.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was delighted along with his aspect’s begin as they appear to duplicate their title-winning marketing campaign of 2019-20.
“Just about pretty much as good because it will get,” the German stated.
“What you want and what you go for is the end result. The end result relies on the efficiency and I assumed we have been completely ok to win.
“It was a really skilled efficiency. I do not want a 25-minute sensational spell and we lose the sport. An away sport, in opposition to a newly promoted group, in a packed stadium for the primary time, they [fans] rejoice every part so I’m actually proud of how we play.”
