Virgil van Dijk probably received more criticism at the start of this campaign than in the last four years he spent with Liverpool and he has been trying to explain why.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 31-year-old reasoned that the World Cup was not a reason for a poor start to this domestic campaign: “Not at all, not at all. I understand, from the start we had, everyone is looking for the why because the difference [to last season] it’s too big, but I can assure you that’s definitely not one of the reasons.
“You focus on the game in that moment, and that’s definitely what we’re doing.
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“It’s just game by game, and that includes international football. For me, it’s two games against Poland and Belgium and then it’s Brighton, so that will be the focus. I’m not focusing on what’s happening in November.”
There is no doubt that our No.4 will be dreaming that he can end this campaign with a World Cup champion’s medal around his neck and that will be his top priority.
However, as it has been the club’s mantra for many years and is clearly something the center midfielder also advocates, all you can do is take one game at a time.
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Now his focus is Holland, as it will be this winter in Qatar, but as soon as he’s back in the red jersey, that’s all that will matter.
Jordan Pickford’s big hand (or leg) injury will have taken its toll and there are obviously some who think the defender is worried about another injury this season.
However, his only goal will be to win every game and every trophy that comes his way this season and there’s still no reason why that can’t happen.
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