Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United left the squad shaken, and much of the attention fell on Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak. What unfolded after that match, away from the cameras, revealed the kind of leader Van Dijk truly is.
Isak arrived at Liverpool carrying enormous expectations after his £125 million transfer. With only one early goal and growing pressure from fans and critics, he struggled to find his place. Through it all, Van Dijk quietly supported him—offering guidance about adapting to the club, dealing with pressure, and trusting his abilities.
Public perception changed when cameras caught Van Dijk shouting at Milos Kerkez during the United defeat. Critics claimed he had lost control, but the unseen moments told a different story. In the dressing room afterward, Van Dijk reassured Kerkez and lifted his confidence—something no camera captured but every teammate noticed.
Isak, in particular, saw the difference between the public criticism and the private leadership. Even as Dutch legend Marco van Basten questioned Van Dijk’s leadership publicly, the Liverpool captain kept supporting those around him. He stayed late after training to help Isak with his finishing, encouraging him quietly with every attempt.
Van Dijk later said leadership “isn’t about shouting, it’s about protecting,” and his actions backed that up. Slowly, the team’s confidence began to return. Isak played with more freedom, and although goals didn’t come immediately, his performances improved. Van Dijk’s belief in him never wavered.
When Isak eventually began scoring—first in the league, then in Europe—the first person he embraced was Van Dijk. It was a moment that summed up their bond and the captain’s influence.
In a turbulent period for Liverpool, Van Dijk proved that real leadership often happens out of sight. He may be demanding on the pitch, but behind closed doors he is the steady presence holding teammates together
