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29 Mar 2024, Edition - 3181, Friday

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Sports

Fairy tale in a world with not a lot of fairy tales anymore: Juergen Klopp on Virgil van Dijk’s debut

indiatoday.com

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Virgil van Dijk headed in a 84th-minute goal to help Liverpool down Everton in his first-ever Merseyside derby.

Liverpool manager marked Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal in the 2-1 FA Cup third round win over city rivals Everton as a ‘fairytale’.

Van Dijk, who signed from Southampton for a record fee of around 75 million pounds, headed in the winning goal on the 84th minute to secure a victory in the the Merseyside derby.

The German was a happy man and said the Dutchman’s debut was special.

“Nice one! A fairy tale in a world with not a lot of fairy tales anymore, so I think something like that is quite special,” said a beaming Klopp.

Kloop had earlier said that he won’t rush the 75 million pound new recruit into the team but changed his mind on Friday.

“It was a difficult decision to make to be honest because, to be 100 per cent honest, the first plan was not to start him tonight but then Dejan (Lovren) and Raggy (Ragnar Klaven) played a lot of games in the last few weeks, so I changed my mind this morning. And it helped,” he said.

Van Dijk impressed in his defensive work as well and Klopp said he was pleased with everything he saw from Liverpool’s new No. 4.

“He showed a lot of things we want him to show in the future very often tonight; heading of course, football-wise his first touch was good, good under pressure and then around set pieces a proper threat,” Klopp said.

Not surprisingly Van Dijk was delighted with his debut.

“I don’t think it can get any better. It was a fantastic night,” said the 26-year-old.

“To score the winner in a derby on my debut is something every little boy dreams of. I just did it.

“I’m very happy that we got through to the next round. We have a good chance to win this. I’m very happy to have my debut, to score and to win. It’s just fantastic.”

Liverpool had tried to sign Van Dijk before the start of the season only for Southampton to block the move until the January transfer window.

“Everyone has welcomed me very well. I just want to improve and work hard for the team, the club and the fans every day,” he said.

“There is still plenty of room for improvement. It’s just the start”.

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