Virgil van Dijk made his first trip back to Anfield since his £10 million summer move to Real Madrid, and it was clear from the outset that he wasn’t there to dwell on the past.
The Dutch defender faced a tricky return to his former club, with tensions running high even before the match kicked off.
The build-up was fraught: a mural of Van Dijk was defaced, and speculation swirled over how Trent Alexander-Arnold would react to the inevitable hostile reception from Liverpool fans.
Yet Van Dijk’s demeanor remained composed and focused, showing little interest in the theatrics surrounding his return.
Post-Match Interview Sparks Tension
After Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory, Amazon Prime pundit Theo Walcott attempted to get Van Dijk to comment on Alexander-Arnold.
“Virg, did you get a chance to see Trent before the game?” Walcott asked.
He added, “There was a lot of talk about the conditions and how he would have coped tonight.
Have you managed to see him or are you going to get a chance to see him?”
Van Dijk’s response was curt and clipped. Simply shaking his head, he answered, “No,” making it clear he preferred to move on.
Walcott, sensing the cold shoulder, quickly shifted topics.
Fans on social media were quick to notice, with many suggesting Van Dijk “couldn’t care less” about his former teammate’s return.
Keeping Personal Matters Personal
Van Dijk had already hinted at his stance days before the match, stating, “Not much, no.
Nothing personal whatsoever. Obviously, I live my life, and he lives his life in Madrid.”
His focus was firmly on the game, not old friendships or past team dynamics.
This professional approach extended to the match itself.
Alexander-Arnold remained on the bench at the start, as manager Xabi Alonso opted to begin with Fede Valverde, a decision mirrored from the weekend’s Clasico.
When Van Dijk finally came on for a brief 10-minute cameo, the stadium erupted in jeers, underscoring the complicated emotions surrounding his return.
Alexander-Arnold Faces a Warm, Yet Mixed Reception
Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, made his own gestures of goodwill before the match.
He caught up with former teammates, shared a hug and a laugh with Dominik Szoboszlai on the Anfield turf, and later hugged and spoke with manager Arne Slot at full-time.
Fans, however, made their feelings clear with chants celebrating Steven Gerrard, a nod to another former star who stayed loyal to Liverpool until the end of his playing career.
A Return Marked by Professionalism
In the end, Van Dijk’s visit highlighted his professional focus and desire to keep personal matters off the field.
While the fans and the media speculated on past relationships, the Dutch defender stayed measured, letting his performance—and the match result—do the talking.
Alexander-Arnold, on the other hand, navigated a mix of warm reunions and fan hostility, showing that leaving a club as iconic as Liverpool can be both a personal and public challenge.