Virgil van Dijk stoked reactions with his remark after he marshaled Liverpool to their 10th EFL Cup trophy.
Partnering with Ibrahim Konate, Van Dijk kept off Chelsea's endless onslaughts throughout the game. He found the back of the net twice for the Reds. His first goal was chalked off after a VAR check while his second goal, scored in the final minutes of the game, became the match-winner.
While Liverpool added their 10th EFL Cup trophy to the shelf, it was Virgil van Dijk's first silverware as the Reds' captain.
After Jordan Henderson departed to Saudi Arabia, Virgil van Dijk was appointed Liverpool captain. It was another big moment in his Liverpool career joining the long list of Liverpool legends who wore the Reds' armband.
However, Van Dijk's Anfield career came under heavy scrutiny after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last season. Before then, the Dutch was the benchmark for other defenders and was regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and Europe.
Things went sour for the 33-year-old during his lengthy injury layoff that saw him sidelined for 254 days due to a cruciate ligament tear in the 2020/21 season.
On return from injury, Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Klopp with Van Dijk blamed for his subpar delivery at the back.
Despite Liverpool's resurgence this season, Van Dijk has been mouthed by some pundits for his lack of leadership after assuming the reins as the club's new captain. He has also been criticized for costly defensive errors at times that put his side at a disadvantage. An example was the recent Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Against Chelsea at Wembley, Van Dijk proved his critics wrong as he shouldered with grace the burden of leading Liverpool pass Chelsea to win the EFL Cup.
The Dutch scored the match-winner and had a message for his critics. In a footage shared by Liverpool on social media, Van Dijk said;
''they thought I was finished. C'mon, that is not the mentality.''
Van Dijk has been crucial for Liverpool this season as the Merseyside club pushes for a historic quadruple. His EFL Cup final goal against Chelsea was his third goal in 29 matches for Liverpool this season.
Partnering with Ibrahim Konate, Van Dijk kept off Chelsea's endless onslaughts throughout the game. He found the back of the net twice for the Reds. His first goal was chalked off after a VAR check while his second goal, scored in the final minutes of the game, became the match-winner.
While Liverpool added their 10th EFL Cup trophy to the shelf, it was Virgil van Dijk's first silverware as the Reds' captain.
After Jordan Henderson departed to Saudi Arabia, Virgil van Dijk was appointed Liverpool captain. It was another big moment in his Liverpool career joining the long list of Liverpool legends who wore the Reds' armband.
However, Van Dijk's Anfield career came under heavy scrutiny after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last season. Before then, the Dutch was the benchmark for other defenders and was regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and Europe.
Things went sour for the 33-year-old during his lengthy injury layoff that saw him sidelined for 254 days due to a cruciate ligament tear in the 2020/21 season.
On return from injury, Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Klopp with Van Dijk blamed for his subpar delivery at the back.
Despite Liverpool's resurgence this season, Van Dijk has been mouthed by some pundits for his lack of leadership after assuming the reins as the club's new captain. He has also been criticized for costly defensive errors at times that put his side at a disadvantage. An example was the recent Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Against Chelsea at Wembley, Van Dijk proved his critics wrong as he shouldered with grace the burden of leading Liverpool pass Chelsea to win the EFL Cup.
The Dutch scored the match-winner and had a message for his critics. In a footage shared by Liverpool on social media, Van Dijk said;
''they thought I was finished. C'mon, that is not the mentality.''
Van Dijk has been crucial for Liverpool this season as the Merseyside club pushes for a historic quadruple. His EFL Cup final goal against Chelsea was his third goal in 29 matches for Liverpool this season.