Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk opens up on advice to Alexander isak before Liverpool debut and message for new signings ahead of Merseyside Derby
When Virgil van Dijk speaks, Liverpool listen. The Reds’ captain has been at the heart of some of Anfield’s greatest European nights over the last half-decade, and on Wednesday evening he once again stepped forward when it mattered most.
His stoppage-time header clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in Liverpool’s Champions League curtain-raiser, capping yet another night of nerve-shredding drama on Merseyside.
But while his late winner grabbed the headlines, Van Dijk’s words both before and after the match carried equal weight particularly for Alexander Isak, the British record signing who was making his Liverpool debut.
The script felt all too familiar for Arne Slot’s side. Liverpool flew out of the blocks, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah firing them into a two-goal lead inside the opening half-hour. Yet, just as they have done several times already this season, they allowed their opponents back into the contest.
Atletico, spurred on by the relentless energy of Diego Simeone on the touchline, struck twice through Marcos Llorente the second goal a cruelly deflected effort that left Alisson Becker helpless.
For the third time already this campaign, Liverpool had squandered a two-goal cushion. And for the fifth successive game, they would need to dig deep into the final minutes to find a winner.
Once again, it was Van Dijk who rose above the chaos, literally and figuratively, heading home in stoppage time to ensure Anfield erupted and Liverpool’s group-stage campaign began with three points.
Yet the Dutchman was quick to acknowledge the pattern emerging.
“It was a little bit unnecessary,” Van Dijk admitted. “But Atletico are a team who never give up, have a lot of quality and we gave them a boost by letting them score just before half-time and we were frustrated at the second goal, a massive deflection.”
“Then we showed again the resilience we have shown for a couple of years. But we don’t want to come into a situation where we have to chase. You have to try to go for the win and we had the opportunities to kill the game and do better. But it is still progress, we are still learning and I am pretty confident we are going to get there.”
The message was clear: Liverpool’s capacity to fight until the end is admirable, but Van Dijk expects more control, more ruthlessness, and fewer chaotic finales.
Alongside the drama of Van Dijk’s heroics, there was another major subplot the debut of Alexander Isak. The Swedish international arrived on deadline day for a British-record £125 million fee from Newcastle United.
Isak lasted 58 minutes on Wednesday night, showing flashes of what persuaded the Reds to break the bank. Twice he stung the palms of Jan Oblak, while his movement and link-up play particularly with fellow new recruit Florian Wirtz, who cost £116m from Bayer Leverkusen hinted at the makings of a new look Liverpool frontline.
The goals didn’t come on this occasion, but the effort and application did not go unnoticed by his captain.
Van Dijk revealed he took time to speak to the striker before the game to ease any nerves and set the tone for his debut.
“Very good,” Van Dijk said when asked about Isak’s performance. “I said (to him before the game) ‘just do your thing and enjoy the whole thing and be important’.
“That is not obviously with goals but link-up play and pressing as well and I think that was very good from him. It’s just a start. He has to recover and be ready for Saturday, whether he starts or not he will have to be there and ready to help us as well.”
That advice was reflected in Isak’s performance. While the headlines may not have belonged to him, the signs were encouraging: clever touches, intelligent runs, and above all, a tireless commitment to the pressing game Slot has demanded from day one.
Van Dijk, who has seen plenty of high-profile signings struggle under the weight of expectation, urged patience.
“The new guys need a bit of time, that’s normal, but they all did well and we keep going.”
This summer marked the beginning of a new cycle at Anfield. With Klopp’s departure, Slot was tasked with refreshing a squad that had achieved so much but needed new energy. Wirtz, Isak, and Hugo Ekitike are among those brought in to spearhead the next era.
So far, the transition has been exhilarating if slightly erratic. Liverpool have won games late, played breathtaking attacking football in flashes, but also surrendered leads and allowed unnecessary drama.
For Van Dijk, who took on the armband permanently last year, the responsibility is not just about marshalling the backline it’s about shepherding the next generation into the club’s unique culture.
Attention now turns to the 247th Merseyside derby on Saturday, where Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield. For the new signings, it will be their first experience of a fixture unlike any other in English football a game that transcends form, league position, and sometimes even logic.
As captain, Van Dijk knows it is his duty to ensure the squad’s newest members understand the magnitude of the occasion.
“Obviously, you don’t let them work it out for themselves,” he said. “They have a feeling for it but the manager will have meetings, we will all speak about it in the next couple of days.
“ It’s a game to look forward to and I think everyone will do. I’m not worried. The guys who are here have played in good stadiums, good games – not the Merseyside derby, obviously – but I am confident they will be absolutely fine.”
For Isak, Wirtz, and others, it will be a baptism of fire. Anfield derbies rarely pass without incident: the roar of the crowd, the full-blooded tackles, and the raw emotion of a city divided by football but bound by proximity.
Everton, under David Moyes, have made a solid start to the season and will arrive at Anfield full of belief. Moyes’ sides have long been associated with defensive resilience and organisation, and Van Dijk expects nothing different on Saturday.
“It is a challenge,” he explained. “Wednesday was another battle against a Diego Simeone team which worked their socks off and never gave up.
“Burnley were very good defensively and kept us out until the last minute of the game – that is playing at the highest level, these teams can make it difficult and Saturday will not be any different.”
“Playing against Everton, we all know how difficult it is against them.”
Van Dijk’s role has never been more vital. His last-gasp goal on Wednesday was a reminder of his aerial dominance and composure in big moments. But equally important is his off-field leadership and knows patience will be key.
