Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday to move into the Premier League's top four. After the game, Virgil van Dijk said the current attackers still have to keep proving themselves after Mohamed Salah's exit.
First start together
Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo all started together for the first time in the match. Liverpool's opening goal came from a deflected Florian Wirtz shot, and Isak scored after an assist from Barcola.
Van Dijk on the attacking group
Van Dijk said: "I think it is the reality. 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 and Bobby."
Van Dijk said: "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."
Van Dijk said: "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."
Van Dijk said: "It is down to these players who are here now to show it every three or four days. The second goal was class but there are plenty of moments already this season that they have been very good."
Van Dijk 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."
League position and clean sheets
Liverpool kept a fourth clean sheet of the campaign against Brighton. Liverpool's only defeat this season has come at home to Manchester City.
Van Dijk on Jacquet
Ronald Araujo is an on-loan Barcelona defender. Van Dijk also spoke about Jeremy Jacquet, saying: "He is doing very well. He just has to keep going and let’s see where the ceiling will be. I don’t think it is there yet, so keep going."