Virgil van Dijk has sent a powerful message over Alexander Isak’s Liverpool future, backing the Swedish striker to silence the noise and become a major figure at Anfield.
Do you think Alexander Isak will shine at Liverpool this season?
Virgil van Dijk has thrown his full support behind Alexander Isak, backing the Liverpool forward to become an important figure after an impressive summer and encouraging pre-season.
Under Scrutiny
Isak has endured his share of scrutiny, but Liverpool’s captain appears to have little concern over the striker’s mentality or ability to deliver. Instead, Van Dijk believes the signs behind the scenes point towards a player ready to make his mark.
Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 23, 2026 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk looks dejected after Newcastle United's Joe Willock scores their second goal REUTERS/Scott Heppell Virgil van Dijk Opinion
“In my opinion, he had a fantastic World Cup, he had a very good pre-season,” Van Dijk said. “He is fit and looks very sharp in training and I have full confidence that he will be very important for us.”
Those words will be particularly encouraging for Liverpool fans. Isak’s qualities have never really been in doubt; at his best, he combines the elegance of a wide forward with the ruthless movement of a traditional number nine.
What Liverpool now need is consistency, and Van Dijk believes helping Isak find that rhythm will be a collective responsibility.
“Like I said, he wants to be successful. It is down to all of us to make him successful, but also up to him to make it successful as well. We need to be together.”
Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 23, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak before the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell That final sentence perhaps carries the most weight.
Liverpool’s dressing room has historically thrived on unity, particularly when players have found themselves under pressure. Van Dijk’s comments feel less like a generic show of support and more like a captain publicly putting an arm around a teammate.
He also dismissed suggestions that abuse directed towards Isak had affected his performance.
remier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 23, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak in action with Newcastle United's Lewis Hall and Sven Botman Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith“No. I [wouldn’t be] affected by [the abuse] if I was him. I don’t think he was affected by it,” Van Dijk explained. “He tried to play his game. There were good moments and there were moments he could have done better, like all of us. I don’t think that impacted him.”
That assessment is typical of Van Dijk: supportive without pretending everything was perfect.
Isak will ultimately be judged by what he produces on the pitch, particularly with expectations naturally high around Liverpool’s attacking players. Yet a strong World Cup, a productive pre-season and positive reports from training provide plenty of reasons for optimism.
More importantly, he clearly has the backing of one of the most influential voices inside the Liverpool dressing room.
For Isak, the message from his captain couldn’t be much clearer, ignore the noise, keep working and let the football do the talking.
