Virgil van Dijk dismisses Alexander Isak theory as he backs 'outstanding' Liverpool striker
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAlexander IsakThe Swedish international netted his fourth Liverpool goal on Saturday and his first in the league at Anfield since last summer's record-breaking arrival from NewcastleVirgil van Dijk has backed Alexander Isak to thrive despite a difficult first season at LiverpoolVirgil van Dijk has “full confidence” that Alexander Isak will improve after a difficult first season at Liverpool and have a big impact in the years to come.The Swedish striker netted his first home league goal for the Reds in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, 236 days after his record-breaking £125 million ($169M) move from Newcastle last summer.It was an encouraging moment at the end of the campaign that has been blighted by fitness issues, injuries and underwhelming form. But none who witnessed Isak routinely bang in goals for Newcastle doubt his quality, and there were more encouraging signs against Palace, even if he managed just 18 touches in 79 minutes.READ MORE: Arne Slot reacts to Mohamed Salah injury and fails to reassure Liverpool fansREAD MORE: Arne Slot launches passionate post-match rant after Oliver Glasner comments on Daniel Munoz goalBut as Isak regains his full fitness, Van Dijk is sure Liverpool fans will see the best of the Reds’ “outstanding” no.9 soon.“It is quite an understatement to say he’s had a tough year,” the captain told reporters after at Anfield.
“He can probably explain it better but the injuries he had and the timing of it has been bad.“But now he is fit and we all know what he can bring and he shows it in training and in games as well. It is on him now to keep showing that – hopefully after the World Cup because at the World Cup we play against each other so he can take it a little bit easier then.Isak netted midway through the first half at Anfield“We are happy and I am pleased with him and the work he puts in and am fully confident it will be absolutely fine for him.“What I’ve seen of him, everyone knows and sees and experiences as team-mates how outstanding he is.
We want more than goals from him and that’s what he can bring and he just has to keep going and keep working, keep staying fit and keep staying important for the football club because I think he will and he already is.”Van Dijk has backed Isak to thrive at Liverpool(Image: (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))Even more encouraging was an improved display from Florian Wirtz, another who has struggled since his big-money move last summer.He netted his first league goal in nearly three months and his nine touches in the opposition area - more than anyone else - was a sign of his influence in the final third.Given the combined fee of £241M ($325M) spent on Isak and Wirtz, Liverpool hopes the pair will play a pivotal role in the club’s future.“That was always the plan,” said Van Dijk. They have to realize that.”Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAlexander IsakVirgil Van Dijk