The Table Can Wait: Van Dijk Urges Liverpool to Stay Loyal to Their Play

Van Dijk's stance: focus on play and consistency

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said there’s little value in chasing the Premier League table. He stressed the importance of staying true to the team’s playing style and maintaining consistency, while addressing the critics surrounding the Reds.

Match recap: Isak and Gakpo secure the 2-0 win

Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at West Ham on Sunday, with goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo across the 13th round of the Premier League.

Van Dijk told Liverpool Echo: "We achieved an important win, which should restore our confidence, and we’re happy to keep a clean sheet."

About the table, he added: "I think there’s no point looking at the standings right now; we didn’t do it last year when we were top from day one, and we shouldn’t do it now."

"The only thing to focus on is trying to maintain our playing style, in both defense and attack."

He also said: "The away win is very good, and now we have to push on. I don’t think we needed more resolve given the circumstances."

Regarding Isak’s first Premier League goal for Liverpool, he said: "We hope it has a big impact for him because we need him at his best; it’s important for all of us, and I’m happy to see him score."

On criticism: "Criticism is part of the game, and that’s why critics get paid. We just deal with what we can control, which is playing football; we won, end of story."

Finally: "Now we focus on Wednesday’s game against Sunderland, which will be very tough and we’re ready for it."

Punchline time: If defending were a crime, Van Dijk would be serving life; and the only table Liverpool cares about is the snack table after the win. Punchline two: apparently the transfer window is closed, but the jokes are forever open.