Virgil van Dijk Commends Teammate Milos Kerkez’s Development and Mohamed Salah’s Impact

omidbasir- Virgil van Dijk has expressed his appreciation for Liverpool teammate Milos Kerkez, acknowledging the “big progress” the young player has made following a challenging beginning to his career at Anfield.

Kerkez made a £40 million ($54 million) move from AFC Bournemouth to Arne Slot’s side last summer. Despite facing criticism for his initial performances, the 22-year-old has recently excelled, notably standing out in Liverpool’s FA Cup victory against Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday.

“It is evident that we have seen a significant improvement,” Van Dijk stated. “He is still quite young and is adapting to life as a Liverpool player. This role encompasses much more than merely playing on the pitch, especially during a period when the team’s performance has been inconsistent, making it difficult to showcase one’s best abilities.

“With support from Andy Robertson and the rest of the team, alongside his own growth, I believe he is making substantial strides. There is still much for him to learn and improve upon, but that is a positive aspect. He needs to keep progressing.

“His youthful energy is infectious. When we were younger, we were always full of energy too! He is eager to learn. Earlier this season, I had discussions with him because we rely on each other on the pitch, whether it involves positioning or, as seen against Brighton, where he presses as a full-back, necessitating my coverage.

“It’s a collaborative effort that requires mutual understanding, something that Robbo and I have developed over many years, and it remains evident in our gameplay. This relationship has to be nurtured through matches, and I can assure you that discussions are ongoing, both on and off the field, with the aim of optimizing our performance as a team.”

In addition to Kerkez, Van Dijk also commended forward Mohamed Salah following his impressive performance against Brighton, where he both scored and assisted a goal. Although Salah has faced periods of subpar form this season, Van Dijk emphasized his enduring significance to the squad.

“Mo is still incredibly important for us,” Van Dijk remarked. “Last week, he provided an assist and set another record. His leadership is invaluable to me as a captain, both on and off the pitch, and his presence has a positive effect on the team. He must continue his efforts.

“He consistently contributes more than just goals. While there is considerable scrutiny surrounding his goal tally, which stems from the exceptionally high standards he has set, he must remain composed and focus on his overall contributions, which are still substantial. He is crucial for us in many facets, both on and off the pitch.”

When asked about the prospect of Salah staying beyond this season, Van Dijk replied, “Our primary focus is on making this season a success. After that, we will see how everything unfolds, as the nature of football is unpredictable.

“I sincerely hope Mo remains with us. We share a strong friendship and have navigated many highs and lows together over the years. Like me, he has one more year remaining on his contract, so we will see how it plays out.”