Is it finally Liverpool’s year? Virgil Van Dijk certainly made it clear he believes it is by boldly suggesting that the quadruple is on for Liverpool after their win 3-2 win against PSG in the Champions League. It is a claim which Jurgen Klopp supports.
Liverpool have reached the Champions League, Europa League and League Cup final in the last three years, as well as finishing second in the Premier League in 2013/14, but have not lifted a trophy since Kenny Dalglish’s side beat Cardiff on penalties to win the League Cup in 2012.
Van Dijk said that Liverpool’s mindset is that they can “win everything” and said believing they can win the quadruple is the “only way forward”, the kind of talk Klopp is happy to hear.
“How can we not want to win them?” he said. “It’s still early in the season. We’ve had a good start. That’s all.
“We lack no confidence at the moment. We were a bit lucky that Bobby [Roberto Firmino] decided the game [against PSG]. It was deserved, but that’s not a sign for anything. It happened.
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“We have to make sure that we decide games much more often. The next one is the most difficult.”
Firmino’s late goal to beat PSG and get Liverpool’s European campaign up and running, after initially losing their 2-0 lead, further cements their status as European and Premier League title contenders, especially given that Manchester City looked off the pace in their defeat against Lyon.
Liverpool are joint leaders of the Premier League after winning all their matches and are showing no signs of stopping. Even Mohamed Salah’s slow start by last season’s impeccable standards have not had an adverse impact on things as Liverpool begin to show a rare strength in depth.
“On a defensive side, the last two games from Mo were outstanding,” said Klopp in response to a perceived dip in Salah’s form; he had scored five goals by this point in the season compared to his two-goal return this year.
“He’s ready to work for the team in these moments. He’s still a threat in offensive situations. Finishing is something you can never take for granted”
“He needed time last year, like we all needed time. And he will take time this season as well.”