Interviewer: Virgil, congratulations on the win today. You had a solid performance at the back, and the team came from behind to secure all three points. How do you assess the team’s performance overall?

Virgil van Dijk: Thank you. I think, first and foremost, we showed great character. We were under pressure in the first half, especially after conceding that early goal. But we didn’t let our heads drop. We stayed composed and trusted in the way we play. It wasn’t perfect, but the resilience we showed after going 1-0 down is something I’m really proud of. We kept our shape and responded well to the challenges Southampton presented.

Interviewer: You seemed to be leading from the back, organizing the defense. How did you manage to keep the defensive line solid after Southampton’s early goal?

Virgil van Dijk: It’s always important to stay focused after conceding, especially in the way we did. I think the key for me was to communicate constantly with the guys and make sure we didn’t panic. The whole defense, including Alisson, kept their calm, and we made sure we didn’t let them get another goal. We had to adjust a bit because they were getting some good crosses in, but once we settled, we were much more comfortable. I’m proud of the defensive work and how we responded as a unit.

Interviewer: You made a few important interceptions and clearances, but what did you think about the team’s attacking performance, especially with the two penalties scored by Salah?

Virgil van Dijk: It’s fantastic when we can rely on someone like Mo Salah to deliver in those moments. His penalties were clinical, as always. But I think what was key in the attack was our movement, particularly from Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, who stretched their defense and gave Mo the space to be effective. Our pressing was also important in recovering the ball high up the pitch, and that allowed us to create opportunities. We didn’t get frustrated after the first half. We kept pushing and knew the goals would come.

Interviewer: The team showed great spirit in the second half. What did you say to your teammates at halftime to motivate them to come back stronger?

Virgil van Dijk: At halftime, we just reminded ourselves that we’ve been in tough situations before, and we know how to come back from setbacks. The message was simple: ‘Stay calm, believe in the system, and be patient.’ I think that calmness was important. We didn’t need to rush things. We needed to stay true to our game and take control of the ball more. We did that, and it paid off.

Interviewer: You’re now top of the table with this win. How do you keep the momentum going for the rest of the season?

Virgil van Dijk: Being at the top of the table is great, but we know there’s a long way to go. Every game is a challenge, and we can’t afford to get complacent. We have to take it game by game, keep improving, and stay focused on the next one. We’ve been consistent so far, but we need to keep working hard, both individually and as a team. The mentality has to stay the same – stay hungry and keep pushing.