Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester City, extending their Premier League lead. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah scored, while Virgil van Dijk received praise for his strong defensive play.
Cody Gakpo scored the first goal in the first half. Later, Mohamed Salah added a second goal with a penalty kick in the second half. This win was crucial against one of their biggest rivals.
In the first half, Liverpool played aggressively and created many chances. They could have scored more goals if they had taken their opportunities.
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, had an impressive game. Many football experts praised his strong performance in defense.
Troy Deeney called Van Dijk “solid” and “brilliant.” He even mentioned that Van Dijk’s performance was a “masterclass” and included him in his team of the week.
Deeney noted that Van Dijk was composed and played a key role in helping Liverpool achieve their sixth clean sheet of the season. He highlighted that Liverpool has only allowed eight goals in the league so far.
Van Dijk is considered one of the best defenders globally and has been in great form this season. He almost scored in the first half but hit the post instead.
He effectively managed to keep Erling Haaland from making an impact. Alongside Joe Gomez, who also played well, they helped Liverpool maintain another clean sheet.
In the second half, Van Dijk made a mistake that nearly led to a goal. However, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher quickly reacted to prevent any danger.
During the match, Van Dijk made seven clearances, blocked two shots, and won six duels. He only lost possession four times, showcasing his quality as a player.
Liverpool’s next match is against Newcastle United on Wednesday at St James’ Park.
Image Credit: www.yahoo.com