Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed his satisfaction following Liverpool's dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, continuing their perfect start under new manager Arne Slot.
"It's a proud moment," van Dijk told Sky Sports. "What pleased me the most was the performance from start to finish. We want to enjoy ourselves out there, and the only way to do that is with the hard work we put in. We dominated and should have scored more. Winning 3-0 is a big improvement from last year."
Liverpool showcased their strength early on, with Luis Diaz capitalising on errors from United's Casemiro to score twice before halftime. Mohamed Salah added a third goal in the second half, ensuring a comprehensive victory that leaves Erik ten Hag’s side under pressure.
Despite some chances from Joshua Zirkzee, United struggled to break through Liverpool's well-organized defence, as the visitors recorded their third consecutive Premier League win without conceding a goal.
Van Dijk highlighted the team's defensive discipline and effective game plan: "We had to stay focused, and we did very well. I'm very proud of the boys. We knew Joshua Zirkzee likes to drop deep and receive the ball to his feet. We prepared for their passing in behind, and we nullified it quickly. Our game plan worked perfectly."
Reflecting on the smooth transition to Arne Slot’s management following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, van Dijk added: "What Jurgen Klopp said in one of his last interviews is true—the new manager inherited a very good squad. The manager left, but the players didn’t. We’re not satisfied with just competing. We want to achieve greatness this season. I'm not competing in any competition just to compete; I want to win."
Looking ahead, van Dijk acknowledged the challenges Liverpool will face as the season progresses: "We come up against very good teams in Man City and Arsenal. Our consistency is looking good, and after the international break, playing every three days will be interesting. But for now, I’m certainly enjoying the ride."
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