DON’T CRECHE AND BURN
Van Dijk puts Kop tots on red alert
VIRGIL VAN DIJK knows Liverpool’s young guns are in the best place to succeed.
But the Reds captain has told likes of Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns they still have a hard road ahead despite their FA Cup heroics. It was the first time two 18-year-olds have scored in the same game for Liverpool, as they swept past Southampton on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit squad has had to turn to the academy conveyor belt of talent to get them through to the next round. Bobby Clark and James McConnell – also in their teens – were bright sparks, while Trey Nyoni, 16, made his debut in the second half.
Conor Bradley and Jarrel Quansah were two of the more experienced players despite only having a handful of senior starts.
Some youngsters had helped Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, and now Danns and Koumas have their first senior goals.
“Even learning from being around the first team is massive and you should soak it in and not get carried away,” said Van Dijk.
“In my career I’ve seen players who make their debuts after coming through the ranks and then disappear.
“For them it is about taking it all in and keeping working, and I am sure they will as they are at an amazing club to do that.
“They have to keep improving, working. Staying humble is a very important thing but we have a great culture and I’m definitely one of the guys to make sure they keep doing that.”
Van Dijk urged the young players to “be patient” when they slip back into the Under-21s in the coming weeks, as first-team stars return to full fitness. But they have already played a significant part in what could be a remarkable season for table-topping Liverpool.