Virgil van Dijk hails Connor Bradley energy and Dominik Szoboszlai’s maturity after Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Liverpool’s revival gathered pace on Tuesday night as a hard-fought 1-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield reignited belief and reminded Europe of their defensive steel.
A glancing header from Alexis Mac Allister sealed a deserved victory in the Champions League, following up Saturday’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa to make it back-to-back triumphs for Arne Slot’s side.
After a difficult few weeks, this felt like a turning point a performance built on discipline, energy, and collective effort.
At full-time, Van Dijk who marshalled the back line with his usual calm authority spoke with a mix of pride and focus. His message was clear: Liverpool’s recent upturn has been built not on moments of magic, but on work ethic, unity and players taking their individual games to another level.
And for the Dutchman, few have embodied that more than Dominik Szoboszlai.
“I think what you see is what you get,” Van Dijk said when asked about Szoboszlai. “Dom is very important — the energy he brings on the pitch is incredible, and the quality that he has is obviously outstanding. He’s learning each and every game. He’s developing into the player that we all feel like he could be. He’s already showing it, obviously for his country as well.”
Szoboszlai has started every game so far this season in both the Premier League and Champions League, despite the high-profile summer arrival of Florian Wirtz for a Premier League-record fee.
Competition for midfield places has never been fiercer, yet the Hungarian continues to thrive under Slot’s guidance combining relentless pressing with creativity in possession.
“He’s playing well,” Van Dijk continued. “It’s about continuing to do it for the rest of the season. So far, he’s had a great start now it’s about keeping your head down, staying focused and performing well.”
The Dutchman, who has seen many talented players come and go since arriving at Anfield, spoke with a quiet confidence about Szoboszlai’s mentality — his willingness to embrace the physical and tactical demands of English football.
“He doesn’t hide,” Van Dijk said. “He’s brave on the ball, he works hard off it, and he gives everything for the team. That’s what this club is built on. We all demand that from each other and Dom brings it every single game.”
Liverpool’s intensity against Madrid was underpinned by the tireless work of their midfield three, but it was also a statement night for Conor Bradley.
The Northern Irishman produced a mature and composed display at right-back, keeping Vinícius Júnior one of the most dangerous wide forwards in world football unusually quiet throughout.
“Conor was very good,” Van Dijk said. “Outstanding. Last year, he got injured in this fixture but today he held his own against one of the best wingers in recent times. He was excellent.
The intensity of these games is incredible, so you have to look after yourself. He’s played two very good games, like the rest of the team, and now it’s recovery and onto the next one.”
Bradley’s aggression, timing and positional discipline helped limit Madrid’s threat down the left, and his energy in transition gave Liverpool another outlet on the break. For a player still developing his game, it was a display full of composure and character.
“For everyone that is the challenge,” Van Dijk added. “The intensity of the games is incredible so you have to look after yourself. He’s played two good games, like the rest of the team, and now it’s recovery and onto the next one.”
Together, they represent the next wave of Liverpool’s evolution young, hungry, technically gifted, and completely bought into the collective. In Szoboszlai and Bradley,
Van Dijk sees not just teammates performing well, but the foundations of a new era at Anfield beginning to take shape.
