Getty Images Sport'I like the pressure' - Virgil van Dijk claims Liverpool relishing struggles under Arne Slot as Reds look to salvage stuttering start to campaign
Getty Images SportJota's death 'was a shock to the whole world'
Jota, along with brother Andre Silva, lost their lives in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, in July when the tyre on their Lamborghini blew out as they passed a vehicle on their way to Santander. Both players were driving from Porto to the city in Spain to catch a ferry back to England in time for pre-season after doctors advised against flying following minor surgery.
The footballing world mourned the sudden loss of the professional players, and Liverpool have been forced to play through the emotions that came with losing a teammate and friend. Speaking with The Times, Van Dijk recalls when he found out about Jota's passing. "I had just landed back in the UK after a family holiday when I received the phone call," the Netherlands international said.
"That is something that I will never forget, unfortunately. It was very, very difficult, very difficult to digest. It was a shock to the whole world."
"In the months after, you try to be the best version of yourself, being there for the players, for the team, for the staff, but especially for Rute [Jota’s widow].
"You want to make sure everyone is looked after - her, the kids, Andre and Diogo’s parents - and the club did an amazing job up until now. But I expected nothing else because the club is an amazing club, a caring club. The most important thing was his family - and it still is."
AFPReds skipper backing new players to succeed
The stuttering start to the campaign comes after the Reds invested heavily over the summer. Indeed, Liverpool added Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz to the frontline in the off-season, while Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni also arrived to bolster the defence. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also secured his move to Liverpool from Anfield.
Combined with the new contracts for talisman Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk, it was an exciting period for the Reds, but the new additions, Ekitike aside, haven't quite lived up to expectations. Isak, who is now set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines having suffered an ankle fracture at Tottenham last week, scored just his second league goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Spurs. Wirtz, meanwhile, directly contributed to his first Premier League goal in the north London success.
Van Dijk, though, believes talk that "teams are figuring us out" and blame of the new players is undeserved, and feels the summer arrivals will succeed at Anfield. "When things are not going well, there’s been a lot of talk about new players," the 34-year-old said. "But we have also been playing many games with the same players, apart from maybe one, and we still didn’t get a result.
"Looking ahead, I’m absolutely convinced and full of confidence that all players who have joined us will succeed. When anyone goes to a new job, you need a bit of time.
"But, listen, that player is progressing, he’s getting into the team, he’s getting used to the way we want to play, he’s getting used to the values of the club, he’s getting used to the intensity of the Premier League, the Champions League, playing every three or four days.
"Mentally, it takes a bit of time. I’m pretty confident that things will absolutely work out, and all of them will be very important for the club."
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