Virgil van Dijk issues Liverpool challenge to Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz - 'Not worried'
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All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageSo there was genuine relief mixed with the delight that greeted the Sweden international cleverly intercepting Alexis Mac Allister's wayward drive and then improvising a finish beyond Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.Not that Liverpool have been concerned Isak wouldn't start replicating the form that brought him 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle."It is important for Alex to get goals as a striker and it was a great goal," said Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk."In terms of 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 added: "It is quite an understatement to say he’s had a tough year.
He can probably explain it better but the injuries he had and the timing have 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 (Van Dijk's Holland and Isak's Sweden) play against each other so he can take it a little bit easier then!"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."Isak and Wirtz were starting together for only the eighth time - Liverpool have won five of those games - and will be expected to be the two players around whom the Reds build for the remainder of the season and beyond.“That was always the plan," said Van Dijk.
"These two particular players have been brought to the club to make an impact and it’s not been an easy season for anyone, including those two, but you see the quality they have."It is about keeping developing, knowing what it takes to be a Liverpool player not only on the pitch but off it as well, look after yourself and try to be, each and every three or four days, the absolute best of yourself."We all know this season has been well below our standards and it’s on us next season to make sure that doesn’t happen any more."Will more game together mean better performances? Keep going, four more games, qualifying for the Champions League is still the main target now, World Cup then we have to be working very hard to make sure next season is not like this season because it is unacceptable."Liverpool moved up to fourth with Saturday's 3-1 victory during which third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who was on the books of Palace as a youngster, had an impressive game as the Reds avoided what would have been a historic fourth defeat this season to the Londoners.“Finally beat them!" said Van Dijk.