MX23RW : Thursday, March 27 19:23:00| >> :60:2296:2296:
[monks data]
Attendance: 19,626
Genk
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 23, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

1-4

Odey (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Oxlade-Chamberlain (2', 57'), Mane (77'), Salah (87')

Van Dijk happy playing behind new-look Liverpool midfield

Van Dijk happy playing behind new-look Liverpool midfield
© Reuters
Klopp's offence-minded midfield combination is one which fans have been crying out for to inject some more creativity in the side.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists playing behind a new-look attacking midfield does not make his life more difficult.

Manager Jurgen Klopp opted for his previously-untried three of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita alongside mainstay Fabinho and it paid off handsomely with the England midfielder scoring twice in a 4-1 Champions League win in Genk.

The performance was not without its issues, particularly in the first half, when the space either side and behind Fabinho saw the hosts create a few decent chances which a better side would probably have converted.

After being presented with a challenge by Manchester United's tactics in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, it meant Van Dijk and a defence missing 50 per cent of its regular starters were stretched until Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his second to make it 2-0 12 minutes into the second half.

Klopp's offence-minded midfield combination is one which fans have been crying out for to inject some more creativity in the side – but did that make it more difficult for Van Dijk?

"I don't think so. We still had Fabinho in front of us who cleans up everything," said the Holland international.

"They left one or two strikers up front and we tried to get involved. That's the way we play.

"We just have to do better at winning the second balls and in the transition with the counter-press."

Ultimately the trade-off worked with Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring twice on his first Champions League appearance in 18 months after recovering from a serious knee injury in the semi-final of the competition in April 2018.

And it was an outcome which was hugely popular with team-mates and supporters alike.

"He's worked so hard to get back to this point and he deserves a night like that," said Van Dijk.

"He's such a great guy, such an important guy for the group. He's a quality player and he showed it, not only with his goals, but also with his all-round game.

"During a difficult period, he always managed to stay positive. We were all there for him.

"Pre-season was tough for him but he's showing a lot of great things right now. He's so sharp. His goals made the difference.

"The first one was so important and the second was a killer for them. It's just great to see him back out there."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is just back from his own 11-match absence with a calf injury, also paid tribute to the England international.

"It was special for everyone. We see him working hard on the training ground," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"I worked with him in the last few weeks and in the international break we had training and he was enjoying the sessions.

"I'm really happy for him scoring like that, playing like that and helping the team. I think he is really happy, as am I."

The Brazil goalkeeper is still waiting for his first clean sheet since returning to fitness after conceding against United and Genk.

He admits being sidelined was difficult for him but has worked hard to ensure there will hopefully be no more absences.

View this post on Instagram

+3 points 🤩🧤 #AB1 #YNWA #UCL #Godisgood

A post shared by Alisson Becker (@alissonbecker) on

"It was a tough moment but I dealt well with it. I spent good time with my family; it's not normal for us as football players," he added.

"I tried to get the maximum from the time, I could make a good pre-season – at least three or four weeks of working hard after the recovery time.

"Now coming back in the Champions League and Premier League with the way the team is playing, I'm really happy to be back.

"I'll try to do my best to stay here a long time and stay away from injuries."

ID:376071: cacheID:376071:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:22176:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their fifth goal and completing his hat-trick on October 22, 2019
Read Next:
UCL Team of the Week - Mbappe, Sterling, Kane
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080
36Young Boys80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!