Jamie Carragher has claimed that Virgil van Dijk was ‘more vocal’ during Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League win against Inter Milan on Wednesday night, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (16/02/22 at 10:10 pm).
The former defender claimed that Van Dijk, who was wearing the captain’s armband with Jordan Henderson on the bench, was ‘intense’ in his body language.
Unless they collapse like a pack of cards, Liverpool should book their place in the next round because, even without away goals, they should do the job over Inter at Anfield.
But that doesn’t mean that the heavyweight showdown at the San Siro wasn’t a tough evening for the Reds, who had to battle hard before scoring two second-half goals through Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah.
The fact that the likes of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were the best players on the pitch says it all, as Carragher shared what he noticed about Van Dijk during the game.
“I think Virgil van Dijk played well,” said Carragher. “But you almost expect it. Konate comes in, he’s not the first choice, it’s Matip normally. He’s up against that atmosphere. Virgil van Dijk mentioned it in his interview.
“There is something I liked about Virgil van Dijk and that’s you don’t always see. He’s playing and it’s like the game is almost easy for him. At times, he coasts through games.
“Trent let Perisic go past him in the second half and they ended up blocking it for a corner. The reaction from Van Dijk told me that this was a big night. He was a lot more vocal and intense in his body language.
“Maybe that had something to do with having the captain’s armband with Jordan being on the bench. But that was Virgil van Dijk back to his best.”
Slowly but surely, as the football season is entering its crunch stage, Van Dijk is showcasing his old self again.
It’s understandable that he would have needed time to get back to his best because of the long-term injury he suffered.
But the Dutchman has proved all season long that, even when he hasn’t been at 100%, it has been easy for him at times.
And with the Reds still in all four competitions, he will be hoping it surges Liverpool to at least one trophy this season.
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