Van Dijk tells Liverpool’s new attack to step up after Salah departure

Virgil van Dijk has called on Liverpool’s attacking players to take greater responsibility after Mohamed Salah’s departure, despite promising early signs that the club are adapting to life without the Egyptian forward.

Liverpool beat Brighton on Sunday, with Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak all making significant contributions to the victory.

The three players combined to influence both of Liverpool’s goals before half-time, suggesting their partnership is beginning to develop.

Barcola, Wirtz and Isak arrived for a combined 364 million pounds as Liverpool began a new phase in their attack following Salah’s departure at the end of last season.

Salah spent nine prolific years at Anfield before leaving. He has continued to score regularly since joining Trabzonspor, finding the net 10 times in 10 appearances for the Turkish club.

Van Dijk said it was unrealistic to expect any one player to reproduce Salah’s contribution from the wing, but insisted Liverpool’s current squad must now deliver consistently.

“I think it is the reality,” said Van Dijk.

“What Mo has done for so many years as a winger, I don’t think anyone can replicate that.

“Hopefully it is going to happen but what he did was incredible. The same goes with Sadio [Mane] and Bobby [Roberto Firmino].

“Hopefully that is going to happen again and that is what we work for but now it is time for others and others have to step up.

“We can always think it was better back in the day but that is not the mentality that it should be at a club like Liverpool and I don’t feel it has ever been.

“The club will always move on at a certain point and there are always players who will shine and perform for the club.

“It is down to these players who are here now to show it every three or four days.”

Van Dijk praised the quality of Liverpool’s second goal against Brighton, while stressing that the team had already produced several encouraging attacking displays this season.

“The second goal was class but there are plenty of moments already this season that they have been very good,” he said.

“At a club like Liverpool you have to do it every three or four days. That is always the challenge, but it is a nice challenge.

“I’m pretty confident that it is going to be fine.”