Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a frank assessment of the pressures facing summer signing Florian Wirtz and the situation surrounding Mohamed Salah, following a frustrating 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland at Anfield.
Van Dijk's Message to Florian Wirtz
Speaking after the match on 4th December 2025, Van Dijk directly addressed the significant expectation placed on young German midfielder Florian Wirtz following his big-money transfer. The Dutch defender acknowledged the external noise surrounding the player's price tag but insisted the 22-year-old must personally "deal with it."
Van Dijk urged Wirtz to ignore the surrounding talk, focus on his work, and dedicate himself to enjoying his opportunity at the club. While he described Wirtz as an "outstanding, world-class player" with talent that justified the move, he cautioned that improvement takes time. The captain stressed the need for the youngster to remain "level-headed" and avoid emotional extremes.
Salah's Reaction and Ongoing Role
Van Dijk also provided insight into Mohamed Salah's reaction after being named on the bench for two consecutive matches. He confirmed the Egyptian star was rightly "disappointed," labelling this a normal reaction for a top competitor.
"If he wasn't frustrated about not playing, that would be more of an issue," Van Dijk stated. Crucially, he moved to reaffirm Salah's vital status within the squad, emphasising he remains a key figure in the team's leadership group. "I need him around," Van Dijk said, expressing full confidence in Salah's future contributions.
Accountability and Consistency Demands
The Liverpool skipper underlined a core principle within the squad: no player has "unlimited credit." He stated that everyone, including established stars like Salah, must consistently perform to earn their place, validating the manager's recent selection decisions.
Reflecting on the Sunderland match itself, Van Dijk gave an honest appraisal, admitting the team struggled to break down a deep-lying defensive block. He conceded they failed to create enough high-quality chances to find a winner.
While taking a point, Van Dijk was "not satisfied" with the result, especially at home. He acknowledged the team is still seeking better consistency, with elements like their pressing and final-third play taking "a bit of time" to fully click. For Liverpool to achieve their goals, Van Dijk concluded, everyone is needed in their "best shape."
