Liverpool captain Van Dijk delighted with kids after Cup win: Trey makes me feel old! – Tribal Football – Footymercato.com

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has heaped praise on the efforts on the club’s youngsters.

After helping win the Carabao Cup final, a raft of teens also were involved in Wednesday’s FA Cup win against Southampton.

Van Dijk said: “Wow. I only felt a little bit older when Trey (Nyoni) came on – half of my age!

“Overall it was a big night for all of them and they should really take it in and enjoy it. See it as a start, as a start to crack on, and really use it. Use it in every way. It’s been an amazing effort, from the young boys especially.

“(I said to them) Enjoy but don’t be nervous and just play your game. It’s sounds much easier said than done of course but that is the only thing you should tell them.

“They all have quality and all can play very well, good football, but it is about showing your quality and it’s a start. For example, Trey at 16 years old, it is incredible.

“There will be so many ups and downs still coming for him but he has to take it in as, with players maybe coming back in the next weeks and months then it could be difficult for him [to get in the squad].

“But he has to keep pushing and the same for the rest of the young boys. That should be the mentality and I am sure they will do that.”

He continued: “Learning from being around the first team is massive and you should soak it all in and don’t get carried away.

“In my career I’ve seen players who make their debuts after coming through the ranks and then disappear. For them it is about taking it all in and keep working and I am sure they will as they are at an amazing club to do that.

“They have to keep improving, keep working; staying humble is a very important thing but we have a great culture and I’m definitely one of the guys that have to make sure they keep doing that as well.

“In my time here, Curtis came through, Trent was at the beginning, Caoimh as well. When we need them, they have to be there and don’t feel the pressure.

“They have to perform and just show their qualities because they are good players. They will have difficult moments, they will struggle and they will have mistakes but it is about how you deal with it and I think they are doing outstanding.

“Jayden scored two goals, Koumas scored, 16-year-old Trey comes on, Quansah plays outstanding again, Conor did well. It was an amazing night if you are part of the whole process from the academy side.

“They will definitely need to be hungry in order to want more, but it starts with the work behind the scenes in terms of staying patient and humble.”