As Liverpool look to build on victory over West Ham, Virgil van Dijk has singled out two of his teammates for praise ahead of playing Sunderland.
Liverpool’s 2-0 win over West Ham represented a significant improvement on their previous three games, all of which they lost by a three-goal margin.
While the quality of the opposition was clearly a factor, the Reds looked more like a team than a collection of individuals.
Alexander Isak started and scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. Though he still had just 13 touches at the London Stadium, he was more involved than against Forest the weekend before.
“We know that things haven’t been so good for us recently, but Sunday was extremely welcome, in terms of both the result and the performance,” Virgil van Dijk said in his pre-Sunderland programme notes.
“It was great to see Alexander Isak score his first Premier League goal for the club.
“Alex has not had the easiest time since joining, as I’m sure he would tell you himself, but he has been working extremely hard behind the scenes, and we know the quality he possesses.
“He is a clinical finisher, and hopefully that was the first of many league goals in a Liverpool shirt.”
Virgil van Dijk thinks Joe Gomez was “outstanding”
Joe Gomez was another who came in for praise from the captain, Van Dijk calling the 28-year-old’s performance “outstanding” against West Ham.
With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong absent, Arne Slot decided to play Gomez at right-back and was rewarded for the choice for which some fans have been calling for weeks.
“I’d also like to mention Joe Gomez, on what was his first league start of the season,” Van Dijk commented.
“I have said many times previously that in order to be successful, we are going to need everybody to be ready to play their part, whether it’s from the start or off the bench.
“I thought Joey was outstanding on the day, so big credit to him.”
Gomez provided an assist for Cody Gakpo‘s goal, played six passes into the final third, completed 33 of his 38 passes and was dispossessed on zero occasions, according to FotMob.
Finally, Van Dijk took time to thank the travelling fans, adding: “I have to say, too, that the support that you gave us at the weekend was fantastic.
“Like I say, we know we have let ourselves down at times in recent weeks, but the way you guys have stuck with us is both extremely important and hugely appreciated.
“We will need you again this evening as we take on a Sunderland team that is enjoying a very good season following promotion from the Championship.”
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland side have not kept a clean sheet in the last five matches but have lost only one of the last six games.
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