Virgil van Dijk dismisses Alexander Isak theory as he backs 'outstanding' Liverpool striker

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The 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 Newcastle

Virgil van Dijk has backed Alexander Isak to thrive despite a difficult first season at Liverpool

Virgil 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.

But 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. It is about getting games and confidence but obviously scoring goals as a striker – that’s the main trigger for him.

“I’m not worried about him whatsoever. 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. “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.

“A year of experience will definitely help in their development and the way they see the club, the way they see us as a team and they have a big part to play. They have to realize that.”