Virgil van Dijk reveals concern for Liverpool team-mates - 'I can't control everyone'
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Virgil van Dijk admits he is concerned about Liverpool players being distracted by the hype that has built around their drive for silverware. And the Reds captain says he cannot keep everyone in the dressing room away from social media as Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders face their first sticky patch of a season that had been coasting along.
Wednesday’s defeat away to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final followed a surprise draw against Manchester United. It is the first time they have gone two games without a win under Slot and Van Dijk concedes it is a challenge to ignore the expectation that has built around a potential quadruple push.
“Don’t listen to all the noise from the outside because at the start of the season no one was thinking that we would be where we are right now," he said. "There’s no point listening.”. But asked if that might be a big challenge for some members of the squad, Van Dijk added: “Of course, of course it could. Social media is a big thing, a big part of peoples’ lives. I can’t control everyone’s emotions but I’ll definitely mention it in there.”.
Liverpool face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup this weekend before visiting high-flying Nottingham Forest in the league next Tuesday. And Van Dijk has no doubt that the Reds, who are also top of the Champions League league phase with two games to play, will face “more difficult moments” as the intensity ramps up.
“That’s a fact,” he added. “But we’ve been there before. That’s the beauty of playing for Liverpool. Every game is difficult, the pressure is always on us as players because of the size of the club. You have to embrace it and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the season.”.
