Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC made strong statements ahead of his team's anticipated match against Atletico Madrid, as part of the first round of the main stage of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League, scheduled to be held at Anfield.

During the press conference, Van Dijk spoke about his new teammate Isaac, saying: "Isaac is very excited, and he has shown high quality since joining. Things are going positively with him. I spoke to him during the international break when the deal was finalized, and now it’s about him reaching his best physical condition and understanding our style of play, pressing, and set pieces."

He added: "He is not just an addition but an important replacement after the departure of key players who were a reason for our successes. We cannot control the transfer fee, and there will always be talk and pressure around that, but he needs to focus, and so do we, away from these matters."

Regarding his expectations from Isaac, he said: "I hope he scores a lot of goals, works hard, enjoys his role as a number 9 striker at Liverpool, and contributes with his key passes and linking up play."

Van Dijk continued his talk about the European competition: "In the absence of injuries, we can change our game plan and rotate players. Our goal is continuity and cohesion, and this is a big challenge; we as players must take on this responsibility."

About facing Atletico Madrid, the Liverpool captain said: "They are a team that works very hard and has a world-class coach like Diego Simeone. His long tenure there says a lot. They have top-class players and a world-class goalkeeper, making them a tough opponent for any team, and they never give up."

He added: "They may not have started the season well, but we know they will try to prove themselves, and we need to be fully prepared."

Van Dijk returned to talk about Isaac, saying: "He is a striker who excels at scoring with his head and both feet, and he shoots accurately into the top corners. He is a complete striker right now, and you can say the same about Hugo."

He continued: "Despite their slight differences, both have high quality, feel comfortable with the ball, and are good at linking play. They both have high speed; this is the modern striker, and they are troublesome opponents for any defense. It's great to have them with us, and I hope they show it in the upcoming matches."

Van Dijk continued his statements, saying: "I am happy with the quality the new players have added, but it takes some time, and that’s normal. The club is in an excellent position, and giving them the opportunity to express themselves is great."

He concluded: "When I signed with Liverpool, I hoped to win every trophy I participated in, but things don’t always go that way due to the strength of the competition. We have a great team, and I am confident in our ability to show that to Europe, but we must work hard to achieve it."