Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool “are absolutely united and go forward as one” after Mohamed Salah returned for Saturday’s win against Brighton. Salah came off the bench for his first appearance since claiming the club had “thrown him under the bus” following the 3-3 draw with Leeds.
The 33-year-old missed the midweek Champions League victory at Inter Milan but returned against Brighton after talks with manager Arne Slot. Salah claimed an assist in the 2-0 win before joining the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations. He could miss up to eight Liverpool games if Egypt reach the final on 18 January.
Van Dijk emphasizes leadership and focus
“We showed this week that we are absolutely united. We go forward as one,” Van Dijk said, marking his 250th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. He added that the team hopes Salah succeeds at Afcon and returns to remain a key leader. “We all know football is unpredictable, but Mo is very important for the club,” he said.
Van Dijk also acknowledged other stakeholders in Salah’s situation. “There are more parties involved, but we hope he stays,” he explained. The defender underlined Salah’s influence both on and off the pitch, praising his leadership for the remainder of the season.
Slot earns praise for handling controversy
Van Dijk commended Arne Slot for managing recent events calmly. Liverpool remain unbeaten in five games since losing to PSV in the Champions League. “He handled the situation very well, despite pressure from outside,” Van Dijk said.
The Netherlands international emphasized the team’s togetherness during highs and lows. “We go through good times together and stick together during challenges,” he added. Van Dijk called the current moment a strong test of the squad’s unity and resilience.
