SERIOUSLY ON VIRG OF GREATNESS

MO SALAH might not grin when he scores – but for team-mate Virgil van Dijk his fellow Liverpool star is making his life s-miles better.

The Egyptian remains deadpan when he sticks the ball in the back of the net much to the confusion of his adoring fans.

It’s been said Salah’s lack of emotion is a reaction to being criticised earlier in the season when he struggled following last season’s 44-goal haul. Now, his game-winning strike against Napoli in the Champions League has taken his current tally to 13 – but still no celebration.

But Dutchman Van Dijk, 27, isn’t bothered as long as his goals help realise his own dream of winning major trophies at Anfield. Van Dijk, signed from Southampton for £75million 11 months ago, said: “He’s scoring goals but he can’t smile every second of the day. He’s enjoying it, though.

“He’s scoring his goals so we don’t need to say any negative things about that. You just need to focus on the good things.

“He scored a hat-trick in the last league game and scored again, an important one, against Napoli. He’s been doing very well. “I definitely feel I have made the right decision to come here. We want to achieve big things, like everyone else in the league. “But I have a lot of dreams and hopefully I can achieve those here and I’m just looking forward to United now.”

It’s another big test of Liverpool’s title resolve as they welcome Man United this afternoon with Van Dijk refusing to get carried away with their lofty position. He added: “We are in December and so many games are left. It can change every week and we need to look at ourselves, perform every week and try to keep winning.

“Every game is difficult in the Premier League. Sometimes players don’t have their day. You never know. We have no influence on Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal.

“So, we need to do our thing and that’s to win the games.

“United are a good team and have very good players up front. But we are a very good team all over – and we will be ready.”

Van Dijk has so much admiration, too, for his goalkeeper Alisson who is proving to be another major player for Liverpool’.

Asked if he thought the Brazilian was impressive, he said: “He’s a fantastic keeper as he showed for Roma last season and now with us as well.

“He’s there when we need him. Hopefully, in the future, we won’t need him so much.

“He’s settled in well and that’s with the help from everyone.

“I had the same when I came. The same feeling. Everyone helped me and made me feel at home within weeks.”