Virgil van Dijk's poor mistake has cost Liverpool a goal inside five minutes against PSV in the Champions League. Liverpool desperately need a win but have had the worst possible start to the game, with PSV taking the lead in the 5th minute. The goal came from the spot after an awful handball from the Reds' captain inside the box.
I obviously want to thank everyone who's here, all the players, the staff and all the people who make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I'm proud to be the captain of Oranje and to lead you every single time. I'm already excited for the final tournament and to achieve success together. The specific phrase the final tournament has been picked up by fans as the crucial detail.
It is obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made, at least in my opinion. [Robertson] didn't interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do. Immediately after the game someone showed me the goal that the same referee allowed -- City against Wolves last season. So it took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag to say it was offside. So there was clearly communication, but as I said that could have influenced the game in a positive way for us.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has singled out Conor Bradley for praise for the way he kept Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior quiet in last night's big game in the Champions League. The young right-back has become more of a key player for Liverpool this season after the summer departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and with Jeremie Frimpong struggling for both fitness and form since he joined from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spanish outlet claims that Van Dijk and his representatives fought until the last minute to secure a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Van Dijk reached out to Real Madrid to join them His agents are said to have reached out to intermediaries in Spain in a bid to establish direct contact with Real Madrid's hierarchy, hoping to explore the possibility of a move.
When you're a centre half and you're a big player, last year we were on about who was going to stay and he signed a big contract, then you're giving up loads of goals. I'd be looking at him and asking what are you doing'? Particularly as a big leader of the team. A couple of years ago we talked about United parking the bus here and we were critical. Now they've scored two today and two last year and you're the centre half.
Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.
Van Dijk's long-range strike against Malta showcases his attacking capabilities, a rare event for a defender, and echoes the quality of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
