Virgil van Dijk says much of Liverpool’s phenomenal success this season is down to the players’ willingness to “go to war” for each other.
Arne Slot’s team has 18 wins in its 20 matches in all competitions and the captain believes the mentality within the squad is a crucial factor, just months after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Table-topping Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday to move 11 points clear of the champion in the Premier League and it is nine points ahead of its nearest challengers, Arsenal and Chelsea.
“I think it was always going to be difficult to replace Jurgen for everything he did for us, as players and for the club, but he (Slot) has come in, done it his own way,” said Van Dijk. “Together with the staff he started working and making sure we have the quality to improve and win games.
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“But he makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied, focus on what is ahead of us next and keep improving.”
The Dutch international said former Feyenoord boss Slot had hit the ground running.
“He has come in and done very well so far and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad not only as football players but as human beings -- guys who will go to war for each other,” said the defender.
“(He has done) a lot of tactical work but at the end of the day it is about how much we want it as players.”
Liverpool has won the English top flight just once since 1990 -- in 2020 -- and Van Dijk urged caution.
“I want to be there at the end of the season, that’s the aim, and in order to be there at the end of the season we have to focus on what’s ahead of us and not thinking about what’s there in January or February,” he said.
“Now it’s Newcastle (on Wednesday) and (it’s about) doing everything in my power and our power to be ready for a big one there as well.”
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