Virgil van Dijk winner really does 'mean more' for Liverpool star after Everton agony

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EVERTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL: Virgil van Dijk scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points for Arne Slot's side, who look well poised to qualify for the Champions LeagueThankfully, Liverpool have long since ditched a marketing campaign based on the slogan ‘This Means More’. But if Van Dijk felt it was an extra-special goal - his sixth of the season - because of what happened in any past fixture, he probably also felt it carried more significance because of the season he and his side have had.Van Dijk has not been at his consistent best and he has had to front up after every disappointment in Liverpool’s ill-fated Premier League title defence.

At times, it has clearly been painful for him.WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football's greatest tournament - Buy the Special Edition todayREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk nets 100th-minute winner as Liverpool beat Everton - 5 talking pointsREAD MORE: Liverpool suffer huge injury blow as Giorgi Mamardashvili taken off on stretcherAnd his winner was not just crucial for parochial reasons, it was crucial for Arne Slot and for Liverpool’s plans. Had Everton won, they could have maintained hopes of being involved in that particular mix and they had their chances here.But a bad day was made worse by what looked like a recurrence of a serious hamstring injury for Jarrad Branthwaite, the Everton defender in tears as he was taken off on a stretcher late in the second half.

Had he not suffered such horrendous misfortune, he might have prevented Van Dijk converting Dominik Szoboszlai’s 100th-minute corner.Will Liverpool qualify for the Champions League? If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.