Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a clear message about squad standards, stating that no player at the club, not even star forward Mohamed Salah, possesses "unlimited credit" with the manager. This comes after Salah was left out of the starting lineup for two consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in his Anfield career.
Salah's Unprecedented Bench Role
The Egypt international was an unused substitute during Liverpool's victory at West Ham United on Sunday. He then began Wednesday's home match against Sunderland on the bench before being introduced at halftime. Despite his second-half appearance, the forward struggled to influence the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Salah is currently in a lean spell, having failed to score in his last five matches across all competitions.
This season's tally of just four Premier League goals marks a stark contrast to his prolific form last campaign, where he netted 29 times in the league. His omission from the starting eleven in back-to-back fixtures has sparked significant discussion about his form and role within the team.
Van Dijk's Firm Stance on Team Standards
When questioned after the Sunderland draw about the message Salah's benching sent to the Liverpool dressing room, Van Dijk was unequivocal. "That's always been the case," the Dutch defender stated. "It's not like you have unlimited credit, everyone has to perform."
He clarified that the decision rested solely with manager Jurgen Klopp, while expressing continued faith in his teammate's quality. "Mo has been doing that but the manager made that decision in the last two games. We all want the best for the club," Van Dijk added. "I am pretty sure Mo will still be a big part of what we are trying to achieve because he is an amazing player and he has shown it consistently."
Praise for New Signing Florian Wirtz
Van Dijk also took time to commend playmaker Florian Wirtz, whose deflected shot secured Liverpool's late equaliser against Sunderland. The German midfielder, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile £116 million (approximately $155 million) transfer this past summer, is beginning to find his feet after a challenging initial period.
"There's a very good reason why a club like us bought him," said Van Dijk. "He's an outstanding, world-class player, in my eyes, who can only become even better but it will take a bit of time."
The captain offered advice to the young star, emphasising the need for focus amidst external noise. "For him he has to stay level-headed. Don't get dragged into the outside world of when it's very good or very bad and don't get dragged into the numbers game," he cautioned. "Nowadays there are a lot of eyes on you if you score goals or have an assist or keep clean sheets but it is also about what you see and the contribution you have for the team."
The result leaves Liverpool in eighth position in the Premier League table, as the defending champions continue to seek consistency in a difficult season.
