All posts tagged: virgil van dijk

Netherlands have reached every World Cup R16 since 1974. Morocco intend to end that

Netherlands have reached every World Cup R16 since 1974. Morocco intend to end that

Published by Webster

4 min readJun 26, 2026 09:12 AM IST Kansas City was drenched in fluorescent orange. For Tunisia, already eliminated after conceding nine goals in two games, this was a chance to finish with something. They were given 180 seconds before that hope began to fade. The Netherlands needed only to avoid being overtaken by Japan’s goal difference against Sweden to top Group F. They did not need to win. They won anyway. Denzel Dumfries drove a low ball across the face of goal in the third minute. Ellyes Skhiri, Tunisia’s captain, got there first and turned it into his own net, the 12th own goal of this tournament, equalling the most ever recorded at a World Cup. Before the seventh minute it was two. Virgil Van Dijk headed a Reijnders free kick across the box and Brian Brobbey, reacting quickest, half-volleyed his third goal of the tournament past a helpless Aymen Dahmen. Two-nil in seven minutes. Given what had happened to Tunisia across this tournament, that was no surprise. ALSO READ | The one thing …

Hydration break ‘not really something I like’ says Netherlands captain Van Dijk | Football News

Hydration break ‘not really something I like’ says Netherlands captain Van Dijk | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readJun 15, 2026 03:15 PM IST The hydration breaks during each half of matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a topic of discussion going into the tournament and continues to be one after it has gotten underway. Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk said after their opening match of the tournament against Japan that he understood why viewers may not like and it may not be needed in every match either. “I think hydration breaks are really interesting. I was obviously watching almost all of the games up until today. I think every time going to commercials is a bit, not really something that I like,” Van Dijk told reporters after the thrilling 1-1 draw. “I think for the neutral watchers on TV it is also not great. So if it is really hot it would be good to put them in but I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion. But I think I have said enough already on that.” Van Dijk and Crysencio …

Jamie Carragher warns Arne Slot side after 2-1 defeat to Man City

Jamie Carragher warns Arne Slot side after 2-1 defeat to Man City

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3 min readFeb 9, 2026 07:24 PM IST Defending Premier League champions Liverpool’s slump continued this season with a 2-1 home defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday night, their eighth loss in 25 league games. Following the match, football pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher argued that the Reds risk missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification if their current form persists. When asked if Liverpool would secure a Premier League top-five finish, which will yield an expanded five Champions League places this season, Carragher told Sky Sports: “No. Right now I don’t. They would have to have a huge upturn in form. And the ones above them are in great form.” After a goalless first half, Liverpool took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai in the 74th minute. The advantage lasted just nine minutes, however, as Bernardo Silva equalised in the 84th. Erling Haaland then delivered a devastating injury-time winner in the 93rd minute to seal victory for City. Reflecting on the defeat’s impact, Carragher said, “It’s a bad one. When …

Watch: ‘Need to reverse that a little bit’ : Steven Gerrard reacts to Mohamed Salah’s comments after Liverpool’s 3-3 Premier League draw against Leeds United | Football News

Watch: ‘Need to reverse that a little bit’ : Steven Gerrard reacts to Mohamed Salah’s comments after Liverpool’s 3-3 Premier League draw against Leeds United | Football News

Published by Webster

Former Liverpool captain and club legend Steven Gerrard has said that he respected Mohamed Salah being unhappy over not featuring in matches for the side, but admitted that his words about being thrown under the bus were wrong. The 45-year-old said that he needed to reverse those comments a bit and work with manager Arne Slot to deal with the present issue. “He’s obviously really upset that he’s not playing, which I respect. He won’t sit out of the team. I respect. A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus, wrong. Need to reverse that a little bit away from that; he needs to deal with that with the manager,” Gerrard told TNT Sports. Gerrard also urged club captain Virgil van Dijk to step in and resolve the existing issue, if not for the sake of the club, then surely for the sake of Liverpool fans. “This needs Virgil van Dijk to go, ‘I was sorting this out for the benefit of not even so much of the club or the team. It’s …

‘I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season’: Wayne Rooney slams Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s slump in form | Football News

‘I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season’: Wayne Rooney slams Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s slump in form | Football News

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Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has said that the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have not played like leaders for Liverpool after signing new contracts. The 40-year-old said that both players were showing different body language as compared to before, and that could impact the rest of the team as well. The Reds suffered their fourth successive Premier League defeat on Saturday, losing 2-3 to Brentford away from home. They are currently in seventh place on the points table, with 15 points in nine matches. “Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season. I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else,” Rooney said on BBC’s “The Wayne Rooney Show”. Story continues below this ad “No-one has seen this coming, it’s hit them quick, …

Liverpool Star Mohamed Salah Wins Football Writers’ Association Player Of The Year, Secures Biggest Win Margin

Liverpool Star Mohamed Salah Wins Football Writers’ Association Player Of The Year, Secures Biggest Win Margin

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File image of Mohamed Salah.© AFP Mohamed Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on Friday after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title. Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season. The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020. Salah secured almost 90 percent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century. Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth. Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times. The 32-year-old recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027. Salah’s decision to …

Arne Slot ‘Incredibly Proud’ As Liverpool Celebrate Record-Equalling Title

Arne Slot ‘Incredibly Proud’ As Liverpool Celebrate Record-Equalling Title

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Arne Slot admitted he was “incredibly proud” after leading Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English title with a 5-1 rout of Tottenham at an ecstatic Anfield on Sunday. Slot’s side wrapped up their first Premier League crown since 2020 with four games still to play, capping an incredible first season in charge for the Dutchman. Liverpool have lost just two of their 34 league matches since Slot arrived from Feyenoord to accept the daunting challenge of replacing the beloved Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are now level with Manchester United as the joint most successful club in English top-flight history. They brushed aside Tottenham to start their title party thanks to strikes from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah before Destiny Udogie’s own goal. Slot had been desperate to seal the title in front of Liverpool’s fanatical supporters, rather than have to celebrate at another stadium, and he was relieved to get the job done in stylish fashion. “It was clear we couldn’t lose this game. Everyone on the bus said …

No Need For Big Changes At Liverpool, Says Arne Slot

No Need For Big Changes At Liverpool, Says Arne Slot

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes maintaining the squad that is romping towards the Premier League title is more important than major new signings. The Reds’ plans for next season have been boosted by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing new deals to remain at Anfield over the past week. Trent Alexander-Arnold is still reportedly set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his deal expires at the end of the season. Van Dijk said ahead of agreeing his new contract that he expects a “big summer” in the transfer market from the Reds. Slot’s only signing in his first year in charge was Federico Chiesa, who has played a peripheral role. But with Liverpool 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, the Dutchman is content with the squad he has at his disposal. “Let’s see what the rest of the summer will bring but it would be strange for me to say now I am not happy with the team because I’ve said this for a year, …

‘It was always Liverpool’: Virgil van Djik signs 2-year contract extension with club | Football News

‘It was always Liverpool’: Virgil van Djik signs 2-year contract extension with club | Football News

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In a huge relief for Liverpool, their captain Virgil van Dijk in followed the footsteps of his teammate Mohamed Salah and signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Thursday. The Netherlands defender’s future was up in the air for the last few months, with speculations running rampant that he could leave the club after his deal expired at the end of the season. “I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions, obviously, that go through my head right now speaking about it. It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy,” Van Djik said on the Liverpool website. “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool. There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my …

Liverpool Set For ‘Big Summer’ Of Transfers, Says Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool Set For ‘Big Summer’ Of Transfers, Says Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk

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Virgil van Dijk says he expects a “big summer” for Liverpool in the transfer market as he reportedly closes in on a deal that will secure his future at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men are on the brink of a record-equalling 20th English league title after Sunday’s 2-1 victory at home to West Ham, in which Van Dijk scored the winner. They are 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just six games to go and could wrap up the title next weekend if results go their way. Van Dijk’s own future is likely to be secured later this week, with the announcement of a two-year contract to match Mohamed Salah‘s new deal. Forward Federico Chiesa was the only outfield signing in last year’s post-season transfer window but he has rarely featured and Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be eager to strengthen. “I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,” said Van Dijk, who captained the team for the 100th time in the league against West Ham. “Whatever …