13 hours ago
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Virgil van Dijk has shown his appreciation for Liverpool supporters who serenaded him in Milan after the midweek victory at the San Siro, and has said the Reds will attempt to put their disappointing Premier League run behind them on Saturday.
Liverpool, five days on from that 1-0 win over Inter Milan, hosts Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as Arne Slot’s side looks to earn a first home win in 39 days.
But the team’s form has been steadily improving in recent weeks, though, with Liverpool unbeaten in five heading into the Brighton clash. Van Dijk hopes the team can build some momentum as it approaches the busy festive period of fixtures.
“The win over Inter Milan was both an important one and, in my opinion, a well-deserved one too,” wrote Van Dijk in Saturday’s matchday program.
“To win any game in the Champions League, particularly away from home, you need to be able to deal with pressure.
“You have to defend as a team, concentrate for 90+ minutes and have the courage and confidence to play your own football as well.
“I thought we showed all of those qualities on the night, and in the end we got our reward with Dom [Szoboszlai]'s late penalty.”
The win over Inter was keenly felt after a bruising few days in the wake of Mohamed Salah’s bombshell interview.
Van Dijk was forced to answer questions on that awkward topic after the full-time whistle in Milan, but was greeted by a rousing rendition of his Liverpool chant from the away corner as he made his way back to the dressing room. It was a moment the captain cherished.
“After the disappointment of Elland Road, that was a very satisfying ending at San Siro,” he wrote. “It was great to walk out onto the pitch for some media duties, well after the final whistle, and to hear you guys singing and chanting from the away end.
“Your support is never taken for granted, I can assure you, and as a team we love to be able to give you nights like that, in one of the truly great football venues.
“The aim now, of course, is to follow on from Milan with another good performance this afternoon against a strong Brighton side.
“It has been a few weeks since we last won at Anfield, and that is something we are desperate to put right today. The best teams are the consistent ones, the ones who deliver both home and away, and that is where we need to get back to.
“I know we can do that. It hasn't been perfect, by any means, but I believe we have taken some positive steps in recent games. Hopefully, with you guys behind us all the way, we can take another big one today.”
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