We stick together” – Virgil van Dijk sends strong message as Liverpool beat Frankfurt | OneFootball

Van Dijk leads by example in dominant response

In a match that began with early tension, Liverpool found themselves trailing once again before Hugo Ekitike restored parity against his former club. From that point, the visitors took full control. Headers from Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate before half-time underlined the captain’s influence on both ends of the pitch.

The Dutchman’s goal, a commanding header from close range, seemed to settle any nerves that lingered after a turbulent few weeks. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai added further gloss to the scoreline, completing a performance that blended composure, control, and conviction.

Van Dijk’s leadership has long been defined by his calm assurance in moments of pressure, and his response in Frankfurt reflected that. Speaking after the match, the 33-year-old was quick to steer the focus away from the result itself and towards the bigger picture.

Focus remains on progress and mentality

Asked whether the victory served as a statement, Van Dijk offered a measured response: “I don’t know if it’s a statement, but it’s a win and something to build on. On to the next.”

It was a reminder of his pragmatic approach — acknowledging the importance of the result without overstating its significance. The captain spoke of the need for composure and perspective during difficult spells, insisting that unity and work ethic would define Liverpool’s recovery.

“It’s not relief,” he added. “We were all disappointed with losing games, of course. But as a group, you have to stick together, block out the noise and keep working. Today we won — that’s it. We got the points, now we recover and prepare for Brentford.”

His words capture the collective mindset Slot has been trying to instil since his arrival. For all the talk of tactical shifts and new systems, Liverpool’s resilience and mental sharpness remain as crucial as any technical improvement.

Defensive discipline and room to grow

Both centre-backs getting on the scoresheet was a rare but welcome sight, yet Van Dijk’s attention quickly turned to the other side of their performance. “We always want clean sheets,” he admitted. “It’s frustrating when you work so hard and still concede, but what matters is how you react. Every game is about improving — being better than the day before.”

His assessment reflected a broader message of continual development, one Slot and his staff have echoed throughout the campaign. The defensive structure remains a work in progress, but the blend of experience and adaptability shown in Germany was encouraging.

Leadership and collective focus

Van Dijk was also clear about managing outside pressure, particularly for the younger members of the squad. “For me it’s quite easy,” he said. “I’ve been around long enough to know how to deal with noise. The key message is simple — focus on the task ahead and perform as a team. That’s how you win games.”

That sense of togetherness, of team-first mentality, is something Liverpool will need as they enter a crucial stretch of fixtures. Slot’s men have rediscovered their spark in Europe, but Van Dijk’s focus is already fixed on what comes next — building, improving, and setting higher standards once again.