Virgil van Dijk would have relieved as Liverpool managed to grind out a 1-0 victory against Everton in the Merseyside Derby.
Gary Neville felt Diogo Jota’s goal should’ve been disallowed but ultimately, the former Wolves forward scored the all-important winner for Arne Slot’s side.
Van Dijk’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain but regardless of whether he stays or leaves Anfield, he would wish to lift the Premier League title at the end of the season.
What will relieve the Dutchman is that Liverpool only need 13 points from their last eight games to make it mathematically impossible for Arsenal to stage an unlikely comeback in the title race.
Thanks to Diogo Jota, Van Dijk can breathe easily after Liverpool beat Everton.
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Virgil van Dijk praises Diogo Jota after Liverpool vs Everton
Van Dijk would have especially been celebratory after Jota’s goal as he had quite a rough outing against David Moyes’ side.
Ollie Watkins referred to Van Dijk as “world-class” and while remains the general consensus about him, the 32-year-old had a tough time coming up against Beto.
Van Dijk named Olivier Giroud as his toughest opponent but the Portuguese number nine might be added to the list as he could have punished him on another night.
But after Liverpool’s narrow win against Everton, Virgil van Dijk lauded Jota’s display while speaking to Premier League Productions: “Yeah, listen, everyone has to contribute in goals and obviously, we all know that Jota can make a difference in that sense. Obviously, he’s a bit unlucky in some ways but today, he’s obviously very important with the goal.”
Van Dijk added that Jota looked sharp throughout the game: “I think he was very sharp in and around the box and he was lively on the ball and I think we already could’ve see it in training and maybe the international break helped him and for him, it’s just to crack on and keep going.”
Diogo Jota stats were amazing during Liverpool vs Everton
The £41 million (BBC Sport) goalscorer has had a difficult season, as he has been in and out of Arne Slot’s side due to a mixture of injuries and rotation.
At one point, it seemed like the 28-year-old was well and truly second-choice behind Luis Diaz, who had found his feet as a frontman.
But Jota bounced back in a Liverpool shirt against Everton, as the statistics reflect.
| GOALS | 1 |
| TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX | 8 |
| CHANCES CREATED | 1 |
| SHOTS | 5 |
| DUELS WON | 4/7 |
| DRIBBLES COMPLETED | 1/1 |
The Portuguese international scored a goal while also creating one chance, taking eight touches in the opposition box, taking five shots in total, winning four of his seven duels and completing one dribble in what was an impressive showing from him.
Jota has been linked with a move to Newcastle and while his future at Liverpool looks unclear at this moment in time, Van Dijk would have been delighted that his head is still in the game as he stepped up against Everton.
