“I shouldn’t have said that” — Virgil van Dijk

In what has been a near-flawless season for Liverpool’s defensive stalwart Virgil van Dijk, the Dutchman recently expressed a solitary regret amidst his team’s triumphs.

Assuming the captain’s armband following Jordan Henderson’s departure in the summer, van Dijk has been a towering presence at the heart of Liverpool’s backline. With 35 appearances across all competitions, he has led a squad that navigated through an injury crisis, integrating several young talents into the fold.

Van Dijk’s standout moment came in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, where he netted the decisive goal in extra time, securing his first silverware as captain. However, it was his post-match comment that he now wishes he hadn’t made.

Reflecting on the phrase “And they thought I was finished,” directed at doubters, Virgil van Dijk admitted regret, attributing it to the surge of emotions in the moment.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” he expressed in an interview with The Guardian. “Because I don’t want to have the wrong intentions. That was part of the emotion coming out of me because there were so many emotions going through my whole body that day.”

Acknowledging last season’s dip in performance, van Dijk understands the criticisms but emphasizes his humanity amidst high expectations. However, he believes he has reached new heights this season, particularly in possession and defensive prowess.

“I feel very comfortable this season in every aspect of the game. Obviously confidence is a big driver but in general, I think I have made big steps in possession,” Virgil van Dijk explained.

“The manager said the other day that it is not just as simple as wearing the armband, and I think there are a lot of things that just clicked again.”