Virgil van Dijk has remarked that Liverpool teammate Milos Kerkez is showing “significant improvement” after a challenging beginning to his tenure at Anfield.
Kerkez made a £40 million ($54m) transfer from AFC Bournemouth to Arne Slot’s squad last summer. The 22-year-old faced scrutiny for his initial performances in a Liverpool jersey but has thrived in recent months, notably standing out in the Reds’ victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night.
“It is quite evident that you can see an enhancement,” Van Dijk stated.
“He is still very young and is acclimating to being a Liverpool player; it involves much more than just playing on the pitch, particularly when the team has been inconsistent, making it difficult to deliver your best performances.
“However, with the support of Robbo [Andy Robertson] and the rest of the squad, along with his personal growth, I believe he is making significant strides.
“What I observe is that there is much more for him to learn and develop, which is positive. He simply needs to keep pushing forward.
“He possesses a lot of energy. He is youthful. When we were young, we were always brimming with energy! He is keen to learn.
“Naturally, I had discussions [earlier in the season] because we need each other on the pitch, whether it’s about positioning or even [against Brighton] where he presses as a full-back and I need to cover.
“It’s a partnership that requires mutual understanding, and Robbo and I have had that for many years, which is still evident in our play. That is something that must evolve over time. Conversations are definitely taking place behind the scenes and during matches, similar to those with the rest of the team, to strive for excellence on the pitch.”
Virgil van Dijk expresses hope for Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool
Van Dijk also commended forward Mohamed Salah after he both scored and assisted for Liverpool against Brighton. The Egypt international has occasionally faced challenges with his form this season, but Van Dijk believes his recent performance underscores his ongoing significance to the team.
“Mo remains extremely vital for us,” the Dutchman commented.
“Last week he provided an assist again and set another record. He continues to be a leader and is crucial for me personally, as a captain, to have him around and on the pitch; his presence is beneficial for the team. He also needs to keep progressing.
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“He consistently contributes more to the team than just goals. There is certainly a lot of emphasis on his scoring at the moment, which is part of his reality, as he sets extremely high standards; when he doesn’t score as frequently, he faces criticism. He must remain composed and strive to be impactful in all aspects of his game, as there is still so much he can offer. He is essential for us both on and off the pitch.”
When asked if he would like Salah to remain beyond this season, Van Dijk replied: “The primary focus is on making this season a success first, and we will see how it concludes; in football, you never know what might happen.
“I always wish for Mo to stay because I consider him a good friend, and we have experienced both the highs and the not-so-highs—though I prefer not to label them as lows—together for many years. Like me, he has one more year, so we will see.”
