Virgil van Dijk’s pre-match team talk captured on camera in the Anfield tunnel before Liverpool beat Man City

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool may have delivered a knockout blow to Man City’s chances in this year’s title race at the weekend.

The Reds knew they could put serious distance between themselves and the champions by beating them on Sunday.

Although no doubt still wary of the threat posed by City after so many years of going toe-to-toe with them, Liverpool ultimately swatted Pep Guardiola’s side away with ease.

Key to the 2-0 victory was Virgil van Dijk, who marshalled the dangerous Erling Haland with typical brilliance.

Van Dijk has been praised for his display, with Jamie Carragher believing that the captain was even better than Mohamed Salah.

But away from everything he gives to the Liverpool squad on the pitch, Van Dijk’s pre-match team talk in the Anfield tunnel once again showed how valuable the Dutchman is as a leader.

Virgil van Dijk delivers pre-match team talk

It still seems unfathomable that Van Dijk will not be a Liverpool player, neigh a Liverpool captain, next season.

However, as things stand, that’s the way things will play out. The Reds need to get him tied down as soon as they possibly can.

For one thing, it will be impossible to replace the kind of performances Van Dijk is putting in right now.

But away from the pitch, he is also the absolute leader in the dressing room.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard names Virgil van Dijk as his toughest ever opponent

As seen on the latest of LFCTV’s ‘Inside’ series, tracking the goings on behind the scenes during the City game, Van Dijk can be seen giving a rousing speech as he and his teammates prepare for kick-off.

“Stay together boys, ey. In everything we do, stick together, on and off the ball,” balls the defender. “We start well, win your battles, be there for each other, help each other out. Come on, be ready, let’s go!”

Van Dijk and Gomez partnership set to go again

Heading into Sunday’s game, Liverpool fans may have been worried about being without Ibrahima Konate for the first time this season.

Konate has been brilliant at the back for Arne Slot, starting all but one game in the Premier League and Champions League.

But with the Frenchman out injured, Joe Gomez stepped up magnificently to roll back the years.

Van Dijk and Gomez was the centre-back partnership which Liverpool’s 2019/20 Premier League win was built on. The two are great friends and their understanding on the pitch is clear.

With another game coming up on Wednesday – this time away at Newcastle – Liverpool supporters should have no qualms about seeing a Van Dijk and Gomez duo leading from the back up on Tyneside.