'Diogo Jota is very difficult to defend' - Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk hailed Diogo Jota after the forward's match-winning performance against Leicester City.
Jota scored twice to secure Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over the Foxes at Anfield on Thursday night and the Portugal international has now netted 17 times in 30 appearances this season.
“I think he’s a fantastic player. He’s just so lively,” Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com.
“He runs through people at times and it’s very difficult to defend because he’s very opportunistic. He goes and takes risks and also his pressing and defending is incredible.
“The competition up front is interesting with Sadio coming back now, Luis as well had a fantastic debut, Mo, obviously you don’t need to say too much about him, Taki, Bobby – the manager has a tough job on his hands!
“But it’s only a good thing because we need everyone. We play every three days and everyone has to feel involved and responsible as well. I think that’s the case so let’s just go for it, enjoy it and help each other.”
Jota struck in either half to seal a fifth successive win across all competitions and Van Dijk believes the Reds have laid a strong foundation for the challenges ahead.
The centre-back said: “It was [a dominant performance]. We had to stay focused until the end of course because with the players they have, the quality they have, they need half a chance maybe and they could strike too.
“It’s good to keep the clean sheet and I think it was a performance to build on as well and hopefully take with us for the next tough games ahead. It’s going to be very busy, but something we enjoy I think. It’s good to be in all the competitions still and yeah, let’s go for it.”