REDS ON SAFC

Virgil Van Dijk spoke about how his fellow Dutchman Brian Brobbey is such a nightmare for defenders and gave a classy response when asked about Sunderland's season. The Liverpool captain won the game last night with a header, but he singled out his defensive parter Ibrahima Konate for praise. Liverpool's £116m playmaker Florian Wirtz also discussed how difficult it was to get a result at the Stadium of Light. High praise for us indeed.

BROBBEY A FAMILIAR FACE

"If you use him well, he's obviously a very handful. He's strong, he's fit, much fitter than I think he was over the years. And there's so much more to ask from him, and I'm very, very pleased and I'm happy that he's doing so well for Sunderland."

NETHERLANDS CALLUP

"Like I said, he's a handful, and 90 per cent of today's challenges Ibrahima had to solve, because he was most of the time with Ibrahima (Konaté). Maybe he got fed up with me defending in the national team, but I'm pleased for him and hopefully he can take that form that he has, because he's in form in my opinion, towards the rest of the season and take it with us to the World Cup. And that's something hopefully he can do.”

KONATE DEALT WITH HIM

“He was incredible today. Brobbey obviously was 90 per cent of the time with him, and Brian probably made a lot of defenders’ lives this season pretty difficult, but he did outstandingly. But like the rest of the guys as well, I'm proud of the team.”

CREDIT TO SUNDERLAND

“I think in general, you have to give credit to Sunderland in general. With their manager, to play and to get that many points already on the board and be in such a fortress at home, it's a big credit to all of them. For them, I wish them luck for the rest of the season. But it's great to see him (Brobbey).”

WIRTZ ADDED:

"We had to bring everything on the pitch to get the win here. Everyone knows it is not easy. The first time they have had a defeat at home, and we are really happy to have the three points. Very important to us. Every good game gives you confidence. When you get the ball you can sometimes do special things. It is always good to have these games because you cannot impact every game.”