Alexander Isaac made his Reds debut in Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, while Virgil van Dik spoke about the forward’s performance.
Virgil Van Dijk revealed the advice he provided Alexander Isaac before the British record-signed Bow, but acknowledges that Arne Slot’s team has made following another dramatic late show at Anfield “unnecessarily difficult.”
Van Dik was hit deeply into stop time in Wednesday night with the Reds’ Champions League curtainrazer to secure a 3-2 thrilling victory over Atletico Madrid.
After completing the £125 million switch from Newcastle United on the deadline, Isaac played 58 minutes and pushed Atletico Keeper Jan O’Lark into a pair of smart stops to showcase his promising chemistry with summer arrival Florian Wiltz.
The Liverpool captain is already convinced that Isaac has the qualities to make his mark if he gets a nod for a clash with Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
“It’s very good,” the Liverpool skipper said when asked to evaluate Isaac’s exhibit, Liverpool Echo reported. “I told him (before the game) ‘You’re just doing it, enjoying everything, and becoming important.’
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“It’s clearly not a goal, there’s also the link-up play and press. I think it was very good from him. It’s just the beginning. He’s ready for Saturday, whether he’s there or we have to help or not.
“New people need a little time. That’s normal, but they’re all doing well and we’re continuing.”
Van Dijk’s strike marked the fifth straight match in which he won on goal after the 83rd minute after seeing his early advantage, when the efforts of Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah were cancelled by Marcos Llorente’s equipment.
The campaign also represents the third opportunity for the Reds to throw away their two-goal cushions. The central half said, “It was a bit unnecessary. But Atletico has not given up and has a lot of quality, giving him a boost by scoring half ahead, and is frustrated with a massive goal with the second goal.
“Then we have shown again the resilience we have shown over the years, but we don’t want to come to a situation where we have to chase.
“You had to go win and we had the opportunity to kill the game and make it better. But it’s still progress and we’re still learning and I’m sure we’ll get there.”
At present, attention has been switched to the Saturday clash with Everton, with five Derby rookies likely to feature in Liverpool. Van Dijk outlined how a fresh face is explained for his 247th encounter between rivals.
“Obviously, you don’t let it work out for themselves,” the defender explained. “They feel that, but the managers will have a meeting, and we will all talk about it over the next few days.
“It’s a game I look forward to, and I think everyone will play it, I’m not worried.
“The people here have played in good stadiums, good games, not Merseyside Derby, but obviously – I’m sure they’ll be absolutely fine.”
Everton enjoys a solid start to the campaign under David Moet and is expected to reflect Burnley and Atletico’s approach by forcing Liverpool to find their way through defensive setups.
Van Deek continues: “It’s a challenge. Wednesday was another battle with the Diego Simeone team who never gave up after taking off their socks.
“Burnley was very defensive and kept us out until the very end of the game, and it plays at the highest level. These teams make it difficult and Saturdays aren’t different.
“We all know how difficult it is to play Everton.”
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