More to Come from Me, Says Liverpool's Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk. (AFP)
Virgil van Dijk. (AFP)
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More to Come from Me, Says Liverpool's Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk. (AFP)
Virgil van Dijk. (AFP)

Liverpool center back Virgil van Dijk is happy with his return from a lengthy injury layoff but the Netherlands international said there is still room for improvement as he tries to rediscover his best form.

A serious knee injury sidelined Van Dijk for most of last season and this year's European Championship, from which the Netherlands were eliminated in the last-16 by the Czech Republic.

Liverpool's defensive linchpin Van Dijk has played in all of their Premier League games this season, with the Merseyside club sitting at the top of the table on 14 points after six matches.

"I think there's still loads to come," Van Dijk told the Liverpool website. "I feel good but there is always room for improvement and I feel like it's on the way.

"Anyone who knows about having a knee injury and being out for such a long time knows that it will take up to, even after you're back playing, another year maybe before you are fully, fully recovered.

"But everyone's body is different, everyone's knee is different, everyone's recovery is different... So far I'm very happy with the progress I've made and I'm not there yet."

Table toppers Liverpool, the only unbeaten team in the league, host second-placed Manchester City on Sunday.



Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
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Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 

After leaving Cristiano Ronaldo at home, Al-Nassr drew 0-0 away against Iranian club Persepolis on Monday in the last round of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

The Saudi Arabian team had already secured a place in the round of 16 of the continental competition and coach Stefano Pioli took a weakened team to Tehran.

Al-Nassr finished third in the West group behind fellow Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. The top eight advance from each of the two 12-team groups, divided into eastern and western geographic zones.

Al-Ahli beat Al-Gharafa of Qatar 4-2 with former Premier League players Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino all scoring, along with Brazilian winger Galeno.

Also, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan defeated Qatar’s Al-Sadd 2-1 to move into the second round.