Liverpool don’t get too cocky ahead of what could be a season-defining clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League, but there’s no doubt that the bounce-back double win has done wonders for confidence.
Jürgen Klopp’s team is the only team to beat Newcastle in the Premier League (the Magpies’ last loss was against the Reds). Virgil van Dijk suggests that the feat came down to mental problems.
“There’s a reason we’re the only team to beat them so far this season,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
“I am very proud of the boys. Now is the time to recover, recover quickly and focus on Real Madrid.
“Obviously, it’s a bit… I wouldn’t call it a mind game, but when you play against 10 men, you have a few more balls on the ball, so sloppiness can creep in.
“You have to play a lot of passes and try to do the same thing, but it’s difficult.
“We can analyze what we want, but we have had a difficult season so far and I am proud to win here and to be the only team to beat them this season. We will accept it and move forward and hopefully continue to perform well step by step.”
The Merseysiders’ latest win has moved them to 8th place in the top flight table, closing the gap to Eddie Howe’s men to 6 points (with one game remaining).
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It’s a promising situation across the league, but I can imagine the manager being most excited about the potential return of the team’s elite focus, which once inspired him to call the team a “mentality monster.”
To face the Champions League champions, we need to survive all the threats presented in the first 45 minutes of action in St James Park unscathed, but how we approach the quarter-finals will be a matter of mentality. It can be completely dependent. fixtures.
Another victory over the Whites could add momentum to a season that has struggled to string together positive results.
You can catch the clip below, courtesy of Sky Sports.
‘It’s starting to look like a Liverpool team’ ⏳
Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold reflect on their ‘big win’ against Newcastle 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JRBSbIgY9S
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2023
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