Virgil van Dijk's reaction to Arsenal draw speaks volumes about Liverpool captain

Virgil van Dijk after it at the Emirates Stadium.

In claiming a draw, the Reds maintained their four-point lead over Arsenal and also closed the gap between them and new leaders Manchester City to a single point.

conceded the first goal of the game when Bukayo Saka skinned Andrew Robertson and blasted the ball in at the near post, but Van Dijk equalised with a header nine minutes later. Midfielder Mikel Merino then restored the Gunners' lead just before half-time, heading home from Declan Rice's pin-point free-kick delivery, but the host team was pegged back once again when Mohamed Salah finished clinically from Darwin Nunez's cut-back in the 81st minute.

Van Dijk admitted Liverpool was seriously tested by Arsenal and said the Reds must continue to build on the point. He said: "Listen, it's a very tough place to come. They created a solid team and make it difficult for everyone. To come back twice is a good thing, we take the point and we move.

"You play here in London, they have the fans behind them and they created some momentum. You have to be ready to fight because you will have some tough moments. One point and we take it."

Van Dijk was disappointed with the manner in which Liverpool conceded Arsenal's second goal of the game. Rice's cross landed plum on Merino's head, but the Spaniard was played onside by Van Dijk's outstretched leg. Van Dijk's goal also came from a set-piece as he headed the ball past David Raya after Luis Diaz had flicked on Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner.

Assessing both goals, Van Dijk said: "They're very solid in set pieces and I think when I was marked by Partey, he only looked at me. It was a good flick from Lucho. I try to just be important in every set piece that we have and to not concede like we did so that's very disappointing."