Virgil van Dijk praised Florian Wirtz after Liverpool’s win over West Ham, calling his performance “normal” for a player of his quality and urging him to keep building on it.
Liverpool’s 2–0 victory over West Ham brought relief, celebration, and one moment fans kept replaying, Virgil van Dijk stopping to speak about Florian Wirtz.
But the captain’s words carried more than praise. They carried a challenge. And with Wirtz still chasing his first Premier League goal, this message comes at a crucial moment in his Anfield journey.
The win ended a difficult month for the Reds, and the away end loudly backed Arne Slot throughout the match. With goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, plus a strong defensive performance, Liverpool finally looked settled.
Yet all eyes turned to Wirtz, who returned after two missed games — and Van Dijk made sure everyone noticed it.
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What did Van Dijk actually say about Wirtz?
Van Dijk highlighted both Wirtz’s progress and the patience needed. The captain said: “It’s actually normal; it takes a bit of time.”
He added that Wirtz “showed his quality, with and without the ball”, calling it a positive step.
These comments reflect what many inside the club feel — Wirtz is growing, but his big-money tag means every moment is watched closely.
Van Dijk also praised Joe Gomez and welcomed key players back to rhythm. But mentioning Wirtz twice in his interviews shows how important the 22-year-old has become in Liverpool’s rebuild.
Is this the turning point for Wirtz?
This is where things get interesting. The German midfielder was lively from the start. He linked play well, broke lines, and created chances. He is still searching for a goal contribution in the league, but his impact was clear.
Is this the night his Liverpool story finally begins to settle? Apparently, the staff believe Wirtz is close to hitting form — and Van Dijk’s comments suggest the dressing room has no doubts about his potential.
With Sunderland and Leeds up next, the timing could not be better.
Why Van Dijk’s message matters now
Liverpool’s captain rarely says things casually. His comments often reflect the mood inside the camp. By backing Wirtz publicly, while reminding him to “keep going” — Van Dijk struck the perfect balance between support and expectation.
For a young midfielder adapting to a new league, this is the kind of message that can steady confidence. And Liverpool need Wirtz to step up soon, especially with results tightening in the Premier League table.
Florian Wirtz Premier League Stats 2025/26 (So Far)
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 768 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.36 |
| xG on Target | 0.98 |
| Shots | 13 |
| Shots on Target | 4 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 1.34 |
| Successful Passes | 305 |
| Pass Accuracy | 81.8% |
| Accurate Long Balls | 8 |
| Long Ball Accuracy | 53.3% |
| Chances Created | 17 |
| Successful Crosses | 5 |
| Cross Accuracy | 26.3% |
What Anfield Home thinks?
Van Dijk’s message hits the right tone at the right time. Wirtz is improving slowly but clearly, and the West Ham game showed more signs of progress.
Liverpool don’t need miracles they need consistency, and Wirtz is edging toward it. If he adds end product soon, the pressure around him may finally settle.