Van Dijk Backs "Outstanding" Isak to Shine at Liverpool After Injury Struggles

Virgil van Dijk has expressed confidence that Alexander Isak will prove his "outstanding" quality and succeed at Liverpool following a challenging start to his Anfield career.

Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a British record transfer at the beginning of the season but has faced setbacks due to injury, including a fractured fibula in December. The striker marked his return to fitness with a goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, a result that lifted the Reds to fourth in the Premier League.

All three of Isak’s Premier League goals for Liverpool have been the opening goal of the match. Since the 2022-23 season, only Erling Haaland (37) and Ollie Watkins (21) have scored more opening goals in the competition than Isak’s 19. Across all competitions, the forward has netted four times in 21 appearances. Van Dijk believes Isak is now poised to thrive on Merseyside after regaining full fitness.

"It is quite an understatement to say he’s had a tough year," Van Dijk said. "He can probably explain it better, but the injuries he had and the timing of it have been unfortunate. Now he is fit, and we all know what he can bring—he shows it in training and in games."

Van Dijk added, "It is on him now to keep showing that—hopefully after the World Cup, because at the World Cup, we [Netherlands] play against each other [Sweden], so he can take it a little easier then. We are happy, and I am pleased with him and the work he puts in. I’m fully confident it will be absolutely fine for him."

The Dutch defender highlighted the unique pressures faced by strikers, stating, "As a striker, you can not touch the ball or not play well for 85 minutes, but if you score the winner, it’s happy days. As defenders, we can play well for 85 minutes, make one mistake, and be seen as terrible. It’s different, but from what I’ve seen of him, everyone knows how outstanding he is."

Van Dijk concluded, "It’s about getting games, confidence, and scoring goals—that’s the main trigger for him. I’m not worried at all. We want more than goals from him, and he can deliver. He just has to keep working, stay fit, and remain important for the club—which I believe he will, and he already is."