Van Dijk double joy Liverpool weekend summed up everything this club stands for.
On Sunday, his leadership carried Liverpool through a gritty Burnley battle at Turf Moor, sealed by a dramatic 95th-minute penalty from Salah.
While back in the Netherlands, the Reds U13s clinched the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy.
It was a rare moment where first team drama and youth success merged into something special.
Van Dijk spoke after the game about more than just the result: he praised the mentality, the fight and how the club continues to push itself even in tight moments.
He also couldn’t hide his pride for the young Reds doing the captain’s name proud abroad.
ALSO READ: What Salah said about Liverpool’s mentality will excite fans
Pride in persistence: How Liverpool found a way
Burnley defended deep and made chances hard to come by for the Reds.
Liverpool dominated possession as Reuters reports, but struggled in the final third until Burnley’s handball in stoppage time granted them a penalty.
Salah stepped up at the 95th minute and converted, keeping Liverpool’s perfect start alive.
Afterwards, Van Dijk praised the players’ refusal to give up.
“we tried absolutely everything against a very low block. Fair play to Burnley, they defended well and they kept running and fighting.
“And we had to find a way. We tried everything and obviously we managed to get the well-deserved penalty and win,” he said in a Q&A with Liverpool FC.
It’s a match that underlines how Liverpool’s title defence won’t always be pretty, but the mentality will carry them through.
It wasn’t only the first team doing Liverpool proud. In Tilburg, the U13s hoisted the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy, eventually defeating Feyenoord 2-1 in the final after topping their group and coming through knockout rounds.
Van Dijk admitted he followed their progress even while preparing for the Burnley fixture.
“I ran in [after the game] and found out that the boys did us proud in my own youth tournament in Holland. The Liverpool U13 boys won my tournament.
“I think they had an amazing time. It was almost a sell-out at the stadium from what I’ve heard and everyone had a good time.”
It was clear the captain’s joy wasn’t only from what he saw on the pitch that day, but what the future holds in the academy echelons.
ALSO READ: Hugo Ekitike hints at breakthrough level with Wirtz by his side