Virgil van Dijk’s title reaction: Soak it all in, be proud — we’ve earned this

Virgil van Dijk wore a beaming smile as he stood before reporters, basking in the joy of Liverpool’s Premier League triumph. Moments after the Reds dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at a jubilant Anfield, the Dutch captain didn’t just reflect on the match — he opened up about the emotional weight of the season, the pride in leading this squad, and what this title means to everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club.

This is Van Dijk’s second Premier League crown with Liverpool, but it holds a unique resonance. The 2019-20 title was won in empty stadiums due to the pandemic, and while the achievement was monumental, it lacked the roaring celebration of fans. Not this time. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Kop was alive, Anfield was packed, and Van Dijk soaked in every second.

“It has been an amazing Premier League season for us — very consistent, well-deserved winners,” he began. “The reaction we showed after going 1-0 down today was outstanding. It was an emotional game. Time really slowed down toward the end, but I’m glad we got the job done. Now everyone who is Liverpool-connected can enjoy this. We should — we must — celebrate.”

Van Dijk was asked whether this triumph felt more special because of the fans being present. His answer was immediate and heartfelt: “Absolutely. The hardest league in the world, and we got to win it on a day like this — glorious weather, fantastic atmosphere, against a strong opponent. This is what football is about.”

The captain didn’t shy away from referencing the pressure that came earlier this season, especially following Jürgen Klopp’s bombshell announcement in January that he’d leave at the end of the campaign. Many doubted Liverpool’s ability to stay in the title race. Van Dijk, however, never lost faith.

“I had a lot of confidence in the team,” he said. “We came short last year. We lacked consistency. But this season — with a new manager, a lot of transitions — we found our rhythm. Arne Slot deserves so much credit for how he’s handled things. No one thought we’d be here. But that’s football. You don’t get anything for free — we’ve earned this.”

As he prepares to lift the trophy at Anfield on May 25, Van Dijk admitted the magnitude of that moment has already started to hit home.

“It’s going to be amazing. Very emotional,” he said. “Even today, seeing my family in the crowd, seeing what it means to our fans… The whole week leading up to the game felt slow. It was agonizing waiting. But once I saw fans gathering in red, singing from the early hours, I knew we had to finish the job.”

Asked whether there was a defining game that convinced him the title was Liverpool’s to lose, Van Dijk gave a measured response. “No single game really,” he replied. “Title races are about consistency. We focused on ourselves. Not on what City or Arsenal were doing. That’s the key. In life and football: block the noise, be consistent.”

That focus, he believes, is what makes this Liverpool side so special. “It’s a team effort. Everyone plays their role. The starting XI, the substitutes, the staff — even those behind the scenes at the AXA Training Centre. You need that unity to win a league like this.”

He also praised the fans, whose support has been “unwavering” throughout the season. “From day one, they believed in us. That energy drives us on. Whether it’s 1-0 down or 4-0 up, you hear them, feel them. They’re part of this title, just as much as we are.”

Van Dijk emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective and cherishing moments like this. “You don’t win Premier Leagues every year. Look at how tight the race has been in recent seasons. So when it happens, you have to soak it all in. We earned this.”

This title also carries extra significance for Van Dijk personally. Leading the team as captain, after years of setbacks and comebacks, adds depth to the achievement. “It means everything,” he admitted. “To lead this club, these players, to a title — it’s emotional. I’ll never forget this season.”

As the press conference neared its end, Van Dijk offered one final message to Liverpool fans across the world. “Celebrate this. Wherever you are. In the pubs, at home, in the streets. Be proud. These are the moments we live for.”

And so, with his name etched further into Liverpool’s storied history, Virgil van Dijk walks proudly into May — ready to raise the Premier League trophy high at Anfield, in front of the supporters who’ve stood with him every step of the way.