‘I shouldn’t have done that’, says Van Dijk as he reveals ‘clumsy’ regret in dressing room after Carabao Cup final win
VIRGIL VAN DIJK says it was a “clumsy mistake” to say he had silenced his doubters after the Carabao Cup victory.
The 32-year-old Dutch defender appears to be back to his best for Liverpool after suffering two big injuries over recent years.
The ex-Celtic and Southampton centre-back is hoping to help Jurgen Klopp depart Anfield this summer with yet more silverware in the trophy cabinet.
They are in a ferocious fight with both Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title while also battling to secure Europa League joy with Atalanta up next for them in the quarter final.
However, the Reds have already ensured that Klopp lifted at least one cup in his farewell season.
And that was due to Van Dijk as headed home the winner to seal a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final last month.
A clip then emerged of him celebrating in the dressing-room afterwards as he says to the camera: “They thought I was finished…”
As quoted by Voetbal Zone, Van Dijk now admits: “I was talking about it with someone this week; I shouldn’t have done that.
“Why shouldn’t I have said that? Because it now seems as if that negative period really hit me hard.
“Of course it probably did, in moments, but my point was that many people do not realise how complex an anterior cruciate ligament and an inner ligament injury is. And that you don’t just get back to the level you were at before.”
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He continued: “I’m disappointed by the unnecessary sounds I create myself. I don’t like noise around me at all, I prefer people talking about the match.”
Van Dijk then added: “I think it’s clumsy of me. It distracted from what we are doing and what I want: to have a top season with the club and play the best year of my life.”