Virgil van Dijk has defended Milos Kerkez's development at Liverpool, praising the defender's improvement after a challenging start to his Anfield career. The 22-year-old Hungarian joined in a £40 million ($54m) move from AFC Bournemouth last summer and faced early criticism before excelling in recent months.

Kerkez was a standout performer in Liverpool's 3-0 FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion, showcasing the progress Van Dijk highlighted. The Dutch captain emphasized that adapting to Liverpool requires more than just playing ability, especially during periods of team inconsistency. Van Dijk credited teammates like Andy Robertson and Kerkez's own development for the improvement.

Van Dijk also praised Mohamed Salah's importance to the team after the Egyptian scored and assisted in the FA Cup victory. Despite Salah's occasional struggles this season, Van Dijk stressed his continued value both on and off the pitch. The captain expressed his desire for Salah to stay beyond this season, though he acknowledged that football decisions ultimately depend on how the campaign unfolds.