Virgil Van Dijk says defender deserves applause
Liverpool central defender Virgil Van Dijk praised his right back partner Trent Alexander Arnold after his return from injury saw a 70th minute half volley goal that assured the win for his team over Leicester City.
Liverpool’s core of Mohammed Salah, Van Dijk and Arnold have all been in the midst of intense contract discussions with no assurity on who would remain and who would exit the club until last week when both Salah and Van Dijk signed new contracts to continue their time at Liverpool. Arnold’s future though is still up in the air with no confirmation on whether the right back would stay at Liverpool or end up at rumoured destination Real Madrid.
“When he scores a big goal like that, I think he deserves applause for stepping up in that particular moment and to soak it all in because whether he stays or leaves, these are moments which you shouldn’t take for granted to give us as a team the opportunity on Sunday to finish it off,” said Van Djik on Sunday.
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The Dutchman also spoke about how it’s up to Arnold to resolve his future at the club.
“Whatever may happen in the future for him, that’s something that he has to resolve with himself and the family, but he’s a Liverpool player at this point and he’s important for our team.
A high profile Liverpool stalwart possibly leaving on a free transfer had been an uncomfortable social media discourse for Liverpool fans but Van Djik put his support behind the England international and said that no matter what his decision may be, he should be remembered for all the good things he achieved at the club.
“He has been important throughout the whole season and today again he came back from the injury, a long one, and that’s what I’m happy about… Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there’s a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave.
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