Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called for perspective around the early form of club-record signing Florian Wirtz, urging the young German to ignore the external focus on statistics.
Wirtz’s wait for a first Liverpool goal or assist in the Premier League was extended to 13 appearances during the midweek draw with Sunderland. An 81st-minute effort that deflected in off a defender was officially credited as an own goal, denying the 22-year-old a milestone moment.
Van Dijk, however, was emphatic in his defence of the midfielder’s contribution. “He is an outstanding, world-class talent in my eyes, and there’s a clear reason the club invested in him,” the Dutch defender stated. “He just needs time. The key is to stay balanced—not too high, not too low—and not be dragged into the ‘numbers game’ from outside. His value isn’t only in goals or assists; it’s in everything he does for the team, which isn’t always reflected on a stat sheet. He was involved in the equaliser and has done many good things.”
The captain acknowledged he has spoken with Wirtz about handling the pressure of a major transfer fee but believes the player is managing it well. “He’s a young talent who came for a significant investment, but he didn’t set the price. He’s here to be part of something bigger. It’s about enjoying being at this club, fighting for the badge, and showing your quality daily. I’m confident he’ll be fine, but right now, as a team, we’re all searching for consistency.”
That search for consistency was evident in a subdued team performance against Sunderland, a match in which Mohamed Salah was again named among the substitutes. The Egyptian forward was introduced at halftime, and Van Dijk stressed his ongoing importance to the squad.
“Mo has been disappointed, as you’d expect, but we need him,” Van Dijk said. “He remains a fantastic player and will be important. There’s a reason for his incredible success here, and that deserves respect. As one of the leaders, I need him around. I’m not worried. The manager makes decisions for the good of the team, but I’m sure Mo will be a big part of what we aim to achieve. Just like with Flo, we all need to find our best form together.”