Ian Rush sends message to Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool win v Everton
Virgil van Dijk caught Ian Rush’s attention after leading Liverpool to a 1-0 win against Everton at Anfield on Wednesday.
Liverpool edged one step closer to clinching the Premier League title after a 57th-minute goal from Diogo Jota gave all three points against the Merseyside rivals on 2 April.
The Reds have 73 points to their name and boast a 12-point lead at the top of the table with eight games left to play, meaning it is only a matter of time before they are crowned champions.
Arne Slot’s side need only 13 more points to claim the title and face the possibility of receiving a guard of honour from Arsenal at Anfield on 11 May.
Rush reacts to Van Dijk after win v Everton
Liverpool were not all too convincing against Everton, particularly in the first half, with Beto asking more than a few questions of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Van Dijk escaped a major embarrassment after the Everton frontman easily got the better of him on one occasion and set himself up for a 1v1 with Caoimhin Kelleher, only to hit the woodwork.
| Minutes | Accurate Passes | Touches | Accurate Long Balls | Ground Duels Won | Aerial Duels Won | Clearances |
| 90 | 74/83 (1st) | 102 | 13/16 (81%) | 3/6 (50%) | 6/10 (60%) | 8 |
The Dutchman, though, fixed the shortcomings in the second half, keeping the Guinea-Bissau international at bay and eventually helping Kelleher keep a clean sheet.
The Liverpool captain later took to social media to express his delight at coming on top in the latest iteration of the Merseyside derby, writing “the Reds!” along with a set of pictures from the game.
Luis Diaz was among those who tipped his hat to the centre-back, while vocal Liverpool supporter Adebayo Akinfenwa also chimed in.
However, the most notable response came from Rush, who posted a clapping emoji (3 April).
Rush delighted with Liverpool win in Merseyside derby
As a Liverpool legend, Rush knows what it means to come out on top in a Merseyside derby.
That is why he took to his own social media account to express his delight at Wednesday’s result.
“Big three points at home, get in! 100th Merseyside derby win!”, the Reds icon wrote on Instagram (2 April).
There is no doubt that the Welshman will be a happy man when Slot and Co. eventually lift the title.