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Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool applaud fans after the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 17 2025(Image: Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\nVirgil van Dijk has spoken after Alexander Isak made his Liverpool debut in the Champions League win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday eveningAlexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool applaud fans after the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 17 2025(Image: Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Virgil van Dijk has revealed the message he gave Alexander Isak ahead of the British record signing’s Liverpool debut – but admits Arne Slot’s side are making matters “unnecessary” for themselves after more late Anfield<\/a> drama. Van Dijk netted in the second minute of injury time to earn the Reds a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League<\/a> opener on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n Isak,<\/a> who arrived on deadline day for \u00a3125million from Newcastle United, featured for 58 minutes and twice forced Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into saves while showing signs of an understanding with another summer signing, \u00a3116m attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.<\/p>\n And Van Dijk<\/a> is convinced Isak has already shown he can make an impact should he feature in Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton<\/a> at Anfield.<\/p>\n READ MORE: UEFA consider investigation after Atletico staff member ‘spat towards Liverpool fans’ in Diego Simeone row<\/a>READ MORE: Diego Simeone explains reason for furious Liverpool bust-up as he demands action – ‘Unjustifiable’<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cVery good,” said the Liverpool<\/a> skipper when asked for his assessment of Isak’s display. “I said (to him before the game) ‘just do you thing and enjoy the whole thing and be important’.<\/p>\n “That is not obviously with goals but link-up play and pressing as well and I think that was very good from him. It’s just a start. He has to recover and be ready for Saturday, whether he starts or not he will have to be there and ready to help us as well.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new guys need a bit of time, that’s normal, but they all did well and we keep going.”<\/p>\n Van Dijk’s goal was the fifth time in succession Liverpool have sealed victory with a goal in the 83rd minute or later, having seen an early lead earned by goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah<\/a> wiped out by a Marcos Llorente double.<\/p>\n It was also the third time this season the Reds have surrendered a two-goal lead, and the centre-back said: “It was a little bit unnecessary. But Atletico are a team who never give up, have a lot of quality and we gave them a boost by letting them score just before half-time and we were frustrated at the second goal, a massive deflection.<\/p>\n “Then we showed again the resilience we have shown for a couple of years. But we don’t want to come into a situation where we have to chase.<\/p>\n “You have to try to go for the win and we had the opportunities to kill the game and do better. But it is still progress, we are still learning and I am pretty confident we are going to get there.”<\/p>\n Concentration now turns to Saturday’s visit of Everton in which there could be as many as five derby debutants for Liverpool. And Van Dijk has explained how the new signings will be prepared for the 247th meeting between the teams.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, you don’t let them work it out for themselves,” said Van Dijk. “They have a feeling for it but the manager will have meetings, we will all speak about it in the next couple of days.<\/p>\n “It’s a game to look forward to and I think everyone will do. I’m not worried.<\/p>\n “The guys who are here have played in good stadiums, good games \u2013 not the Merseyside derby, obviously – but I am confident they will be absolutely fine.”<\/p>\n