Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Embed from Getty Images

Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool deserve credit for returning to winning ways.

Wednesday’s Merseyside derby victory saw Arne Slot’s side consolidate their 12-point lead in the Premier League title race after a chastening few weeks.

The Reds headed into the international break after a defeats to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

But Van Dijk feels that the hosts’ ability to overcome a difficult first half against their neighbours in their maiden outing since the hiatus merits acclaim.

He said: “I think the Merseyside derby is a difficult game.

“It was not the best first half but a very good second half, a well-deserved [result] based on the second half.

“But it’s a big game and coming back from the international break, coming back from a disappointing final, it was very important to get back to winning ways and we did.

“Playing against a team who has strength and they have quality to make it difficult for you.

“Those two moments [from Beto] the one that was offside and the one I failed to clear, I think was in that same period so maybe the period of anxiety creeps in from the fans

“But the way we settled it and played especially the second half that looks very good and something we should focus on more than the [defensive] uncertainties.

“I don’t know [if the break helped].

It was a tough week for me personally with two difficult games so everyone had their own situation.

“But what was good was that we could get away for a couple of days, switch off completely, and then back on it from last Saturday.

“It’s a funny world.

Doubts outside all of a sudden [after the losses] but the fact is there are eight games to go, there’s a 12-point gap, and we focus on putting points on the board and playing the best football we can play.

“But if we have to fight we have to fight.

We have to run – the manager mentioned it in his press conference – we have to out-work opponents, and in certain games we didn’t do it and couldn’t get results.

“So it just shows you have to work your socks off to get results.”


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.