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Virgil van Dijk expects Alexander Isak to show how “outstanding” he is and backed him to succeed at Liverpool after overcoming a tough start to life at Anfield.
Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a British record transfer at the start of the season, but has had a season hampered by injury, having broken his fibula in December.
He scored his first goal since returning from that injury in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, a victory which moved the Reds up to fourth in the Premier League.
All three of Isak’s Premier League goals for Liverpool have been the game’s opening goal; since 2022-23, only Erling Haaland (37) and Ollie Watkins (21) have more opening goals in the competition than his 19.
In all competitions, the forward has netted four times in 21 appearances, and Van Dijk is confident he will thrive on Merseyside now that he is back to his full fitness.
“It is quite an understatement to say he’s had a tough year,” Van Dijk said.
“He can probably explain it better, but the injuries he had and the timing of it has been bad. But now he is fit, and we all know what he can bring, and he shows it in training and in games as well.
“It is on him now to keep showing that – hopefully after the World Cup, because at the World Cup we [Netherlands] play against each other [Sweden], so he can take it a little bit easier then.
“We are happy, and I am pleased with him and the work he puts in and am fully confident it will be absolutely fine for him.
“As a striker, you can not touch the ball or not play a good game for 85 minutes, and you score the winner, and it’s happy days. Us as defenders can play a good game for 85 minutes, make one slip or mistake and are seen as terrible defenders.
“It’s a bit different, but in terms of what I’ve seen of him, everyone knows and sees and experiences as team-mates how outstanding he is.
“It is about getting games, confidence, but obviously scoring goals as a striker – that’s the main trigger for him. I’m not worried at all about him whatsoever.
“We want more than goals from him, and that’s what he can bring, and he just has to keep going and keep working, keep staying fit and keep staying important for the football club because I think he will, and he already is.”
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