Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has dismissed claims that his team were lucky to beat Burnley 2-0 and overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Instead, he praised how the Reds have handled a challenging festive period.
Goals from Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota secured Liverpool’s first Premier League win in three games, following recent draws with Arsenal and Manchester United. However, Jürgen Klopp’s team had to work hard for their victory against Burnley, with goals from Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott disallowed by the referee.
Despite this, Van Dijk, speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, denied suggestions that Liverpool were fortunate to secure a Boxing Day victory that put them top of the table.
“I don’t think there was a lot of luck, to be absolutely honest,” said Van Dijk about the win at Turf Moor. “It’s never easy and they play at home, they won their last game and have a bit of confidence as well. We have to be very good and ready to suffer as well and I think we were good. Also with the changes we made, like I said, this is the fourth game in nine or ten days so I’m very pleased with the result.”
When asked if the Liverpool team will enjoy being above Arsenal in the Premier League standings for the next 48 hours at least, Van Dijk added: “It’s December so we won’t think too far ahead. I’m very pleased because it’s the last game for us of the year and now it’s time to have a little bit of time together with our families and then we focus on Newcastle. We will see. We will focus on ourselves and see by February, March how the table looks but we are definitely hoping to be up there, competing with the others.”
The Liverpool captain also had high praise for Núñez, who scored a fantastic opening goal past James Trafford within just six minutes at Turf Moor, ending his 12-game goal drought for the Anfield club.
Our newsletter subscribers get an extra slice of Liverpool.com from one of the best Liverpool FC writers around — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.
Speaking about Liverpool’s striking force, the Dutch defender said: “Well, obviously, as a striker if you don’t score for a little bit it could get in your head but I don’t really see that with the guys,” and added, “You see how Cody plays, for example, in the first half, outstanding. Diogo comes in and makes another goal, it’s really good to see and we have to keep pushing each other in order to stay hungry.” He concluded saying, “We have the hunger in the team so let’s give it [our] all.”
Liverpool.com says: There certainly can’t be any suggestions of Liverpool getting lucky against Burnley. If anything, the Reds were unlucky to see decisions go against them that would have made things an awful lot more comfortable.
The important thing is they got the win needed after dropping points in the last couple of games. They can now sit back and watch for a little while as Arsenal and Manchester City try to catch up.
READ NEXT:
