Publications
Partners
Cape Town - World-class defender Virgil van Dijk is not fazed after Liverpool failed to keep a clean sheet at Anfield once again.
Netherlands international Van Dijk made his 15th Premier League start of the season on Wednesday night as Liverpool thrashed Everton 5-2 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield to maintain their eight-point lead over Leicester City, who overcome Watford 2-0 on the same evening at the King Power Stadium.
However, although the Reds looked impressive in the final third against the Toffees, there are still question marks being raised about their defence having failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 12 matches at home this term.
On only three occasions have Liverpool prevented opponents scoring – at Burnley and Sheffield United in the Premier League and League One MK Dons in the Carabao Cup – and that has led to some criticism coming the way of the regular back four.
But Van Dijk, who finished second to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or this year, has played down the lack of shutouts and is instead focusing on the fact his side keep picking up victories across all competitions.
“It doesn’t really matter but no one wants to concede goals even if you win the game,” he said. “We want to win in the best way possible and obviously that is by not conceding but if we win it with conceding then everyone is still happy.
“We are in a good situation we can’t deny that, but we are not there yet. We never are satisfied, especially when the season is not even halfway. We want to keep going and focus on the games ahead of us.”
Liverpool, who have 14 wins and one draw from 15 league games this term, return to action on Saturday when they make the trip to the Vitality Stadium to take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, who are on a four-game losing run and have slipped to 12th in the standings, just two points above the relegation zone.
