Virgil van Dijk sidesteps Alexander Isak conversation and sends Liverpool message - 'not now'

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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Burnley on September 14 2025(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

It was the exchange that set tongues wagging among Liverpool supporters.

I can't remember!"

That Isak subsequently made a British record £125million move to Anfield on deadline day earlier this month has further fuelled speculation over the brief conversation.

The Sweden international wasn't risked for Liverpool's 1-0 Premier League win at Burnley on Sunday due to a lack of game minutes, with a cameo from the bench for his country last Monday his only action since May.

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Isak was banished from the Newcastle first-team squad during the summer and is playing catch-up with his fitness having missed out on a proper pre-season programme, but could feature in the Reds' Champions League opener at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

And Van Dijk is delighted the issues prompted by Isak's move to the champions are now in the past.

"I know it was a very difficult time," said the 34-year-old.

So many things are going on behind the scenes.

"Not only me, but the whole team and everyone connected to the club was very pleased that the deal got done.

"Now he's here, he's a part of the family and it is time for him to be as fit as he can as quickly as possible, and be important for us with goals, with assists, with link-up play, and with what Hugo (Ekitike) has already been showing and doing, pushing each other and bringing us to the next level."

With Isak absent, Liverpool struggled to break down a resolute Burnley rearguard and were reliant on a Mohamed Salah penalty five minutes into injury time to maintain the 100% start to their title defence.

All four Reds victories this season have come via late winners, and Van Dijk believes that is testament to the insistence of Arne Slot's side to keep knocking on the door and not become disillusioned.

"We kept trying," said the Holland international.

The body language was good.

"We kept pushing each other, stayed positive and didn't get frustrated.

We did everything we could and obviously we found a way with the penalty."

Slot spoke after the game of his gamble in throwing on so many attacking players during the closing stages, with substitute Jeremie Frimpong having won the decisive spot kick when his cross was handled by Hannibal Mejbri.

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With Frimpong having been joined from the bench by Rio Ngumoha and earlier Federico Chiesa, Liverpool finished with seven attack-minded players on the pitch and Van Dijk partnered at centre-back by midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

And the Liverpool skipper said: "The manager knows what he is doing and he has full trust in me and the others at the back.

At the end of the day, I always say that we defend together and we attack together.

"We have to make sure we are well organised and make sure we don't concede counter-attacks, which is what they tried to do as well.