Virgil Van Dijk is excited by Liverpool’s blend of youth and experience and hopes it can propel them to success this season.
The Dutchman was named as the Reds’ new captain this summer following the departure of Jordan Henderson, who was among a number of long-serving players to leave Anfield.
This season has seen Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp blood young talents like 17-year-old winger Ben Doak and 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah along with new signings Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
Van Dijk told the PA news agency: “I don’t see it as a challenge, things happen for a reason, players move on and new players come in, players get new roles and I think that’s a very exciting thing.
“Obviously the captain has changed, the vice-captain has changed, the leadership group has changed, the players have different responsibilities outside the pitch. I think everyone is enjoying their roles at the moment and the team spirit is very high.
“Everyone is realising that everyone has a role to play and, whether you start, if you’re on the bench or whether you come on, everyone is trying to make a difference. I think so far that’s really good and that’s the basis of success.
“I think the squad we have at the moment looks very exciting. We have the quality to make it difficult for every team in the world.”
Van Dijk enjoys helping guide the younger members of the squad, saying: “You feel a responsibility. I know exactly how I was when I came up the ranks when I was younger.
“It’s never easy and, as one of the older guys, one of the experienced guys, I want to help them where I can.
“Obviously you don’t need to hold their hands but you need to make sure they’re able to perform in the best way possible and I think so far everyone is really enjoying doing that and we have to just keep that level.”
The Reds certainly seem to have turned a corner after last season’s struggles, winning seven games in a row in all competitions prior to last weekend’s controversial loss to Tottenham.
Van Dijk admits it was initially tough to move on following Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal and red cards for Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, but he said: “It’s part of life. Obviously it’s difficult but life gives you challenges so you have to deal with it.
“You definitely can take a lot of positive things out of that game. Obviously it’s quite difficult when you lose to see the positive things immediately and that was definitely a difficult period after the game but a couple of days later you realise and you analyse certain things.
“I was really proud to see how strong my team was as a unit. It’s something to build on and we will build on this and just keep going.”
Next up for Liverpool is an away trip on Sunday to Brighton, who will be looking for a response of their own after last weekend’s 6-1 hammering by Aston Villa.
“It’s not really about showing a reaction, it’s just trying to play the best game that you can do at that time,” said Van Dijk. “It’s the last game before the international break so we want to finish this part of the season well.
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“Obviously they had a difficult result the other day but I think they’re a very, very good team with a very good manager, a clear style of play and it’s always been difficult the games we’ve played against them over the last couple of years.
“It’s going to be tough but we have to be confident and try to do everything in our power to win the game. Obviously we have the quality to make it difficult for them and we have to show it.
“The main thing for us is to stay consistent. That’s the key to winning something. And obviously no injuries, and that’s what we try to avoid. I’m very happy with the start we had as a team.”
Van Dijk was speaking in his new role as an ambassador for McDonald’s Fun Football, the largest free grass-roots participation programme in the UK, which offers 250,000 children every year the opportunity to play for free.
“I’m so glad that I’m part of this whole campaign,” said the 32-year-old. “I just want to be an example for the kids. The last free football session I attended in the city centre of Liverpool I took my two eldest daughters with me and they had an amazing time.”
:: McDonald’s Fun Football offers girls and boys, aged 5-11, access to fun and inclusive coaching across the UK for free. Sign up now at mcdonalds.co.uk/football
Chelsea can 'dominate English football' for a decade, says Maresca
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca believes the make-up of the Blues' squad gives them an opportunity to dominate English football for the next five to 10 years.
Maresca's Stamford Bridge tenure has got off to an excellent start, with Chelsea sitting third in the Premier League – albeit nine points behind leaders Liverpool – ahead of Wednesday's trip to Southampton.
The Italian has won 38 of his last 59 league games in charge of Chelsea and former club Leicester City overall (eight draws, 13 losses).
Since the beginning of last season, no manager has won more such matches across England's top two tiers (level with Leeds United's Daniel Farke – excluding play-offs).
The likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have starred for a young Chelsea side this campaign. Indeed, the 13 youngest starting XI's to be selected in the Premier League through 13 matchdays this term have all been by Chelsea.
Having spent heavily on the recruitment of young talent in just over two years under the Todd Boehly regime, Maresca feels Chelsea are destined for big things.
"What I said to the owners and the sporting directors the first time I met them, because of the age, and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that is going to dominate English football," he said.
"This is what I said to the club the first time I met them.
"No matter who will be the manager, for the next five or 10 years, because of the age, the squad, you can dominate English football. I still think exactly the same.
"In terms of a target, they didn't ask me for any target, only to try to build something important for the next years. I think we are [heading] in the right direction."
The Opta supercomputer gave Chelsea just a 0.2% chance of winning the title before a ball was kicked this term, but their hopes are now marginally up at 0.6%.
Maresca still feels this season is too early for his team to mount a title tilt, adding: "In terms of a personal target, I know you struggle to believe it but I'm not focused on [the] end of the season, next season, because it's not real."
Man City thinking about title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola
Pep Guardiola conceded it would be a "big mistake" for Manchester City to think about retaining the Premier League title amid their four-game losing run in the competition.
City were handed their latest defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Anfield to leave them 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the summit of the standings.
The Citizens return to the Etihad on Wednesday to take on Nottingham Forest, who returned to winning ways last weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Guardiola's men may be in poor form, but they are unbeaten in their past eight league games against Forest, stretching back to a 3-2 loss in the second tier in December 1997.
However, when asked about his side's chances of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, Guardiola remained realistic given recent results.
"After the results in the past to think about a big target would be a big mistake," Guardiola conceded.
"We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league, but it is all about consistency.
"Liverpool as a team have been magnificent, and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."
Despite enduring the longest winless run of his managerial career, Guardiola insisted that he was not feeling the pressure of the surrounding situation.
After winning 18 trophies across his eight full seasons as City boss, he is determined to battle on with the help of the supporters.
"The fans know what these guys have done over the last decade," he added.
"They know we need the support, the players are human beings and will try everything to change the dynamic.
"We just have to play and think about the next one. I don't know another way. I don't feel sorry for myself."
Guardiola did, however, insist that his side would be a lot higher in the table if he had a fully fit squad to choose from.
City have been without several players for much of the campaign, including long-term injury absentee Rodri, who is eyeing a return to action before the season is out.
"With all the squad this season we would be close to our level we reached last season," Guardiola said.
"In January we will talk internally as it depends on the situation we are in at that moment."
It was confirmed by Guardiola on Tuesday that John Stones would miss the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness.
‘Innocent until proven otherwise’: Gateway Athletics take soft stance in Director's arrest on gun-trafficking charge
Gateway Athletics International has issued a statement expressing confidence in the innocence of its managing director, Shem Alexander, who was arrested in Jamaica on allegations of gun and ammunition trafficking from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago.
Alexander, a well-known figure in Trinidad and Tobago football circles with coaching experience in the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) for MIC Matura ReUnited, was detained on November 15 at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. His arrest followed an extradition request by United States authorities.
On November 30, the Jamaica Observer reported that Alexander appeared in a Corporate Area court, where he provided written consent to be extradited to the United States to face trial.
Gateway Athletics addressed the situation in a November 30 statement, revealing that Alexander had stepped aside from his duties to address the allegations.
"Mr Alexander has taken a voluntary leave of (absence) as the managing director at Gateway Athletics in order to focus on treating the allegations before him. Mr Alexander has maintained his innocence in all of the allegations levelled against him and is eager to fully ventilate the issue in the right forum when the time is appropriate,” the statement said.
The organization emphasized the principle of presumed innocence.
“The same natural justice that applies to all also applies to Mr Alexander, that is, the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. There is no further information we can give at this time, but we will update as necessary as information becomes available,” the statement added.
Alexander has been a significant contributor to Trinidad and Tobago's football development. He previously managed St Augustine Secondary's football program and has played a key role in shaping youth football through his leadership at Gateway Athletics.
Under his stewardship, Gateway has overseen the last three editions of the Republic Cup National Youth Football League, one of the nation's most prestigious youth tournaments.
Additionally, Gateway has facilitated showcase events through the Republic Cup, giving young footballers an opportunity to perform before college coaches and scouts from abroad with the goal of earning scholarships.
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