LONDON – Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has praised defender Virgil van Dijk’s composed display during Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Southampton as the Dutchman returned to St. Mary’s for the first time since his move to Merseyside.
A section of Southampton supporters booed Van Dijk, who joined the Saints in 2015 before completing a big-money move to Liverpool last month, but the 26-year-old handled the jeers admirably to help Klopp’s side ease to a win.
“He did really well and dealt with the situation fantastically,” Klopp said. “We had a talk before the game, asking him what he thought - ‘No, I’m fine, boss’.
“I didn’t want to make him nervous if he isn’t, obviously he wasn’t.
“The crowd is there to make life difficult for the opponent, but it wasn’t too difficult for him from this point of view and I’m happy about that.”
Forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino continued their stellar form for the club, scoring a goal each to help Liverpool move up to third in the table, two points adrift of second-placed Manchester United.