In the early morning of January 6, Beijing time, the 20th round of the Premier League focus game, Liverpool and Manchester United at home into a 2-2 draw. After the match, Liverpool captain Van Dyke talked about his views on Arnold's performance, the process of the match and his personal contract at the press conference.
Arnold's solid performance
Van Dyke emphasized, "The transfer rumors have not had an impact on Arnold's athleticism. He has solid family support and our team has always stood by him. He wants to be at his best on the pitch as much as we do, and that's a goal we all share. Personally, I think it's the game itself that will affect him the most. We also drew 0-0 with Manchester United last year and that experience is still fresh in our minds."
Reflections on the competition
Commenting on the game, Van Dyke said, "The Double Red has always been a special matchup in the Premier League and this game was no exception. We should have dominated in possession but unfortunately we didn't do that. Although we showed resilience in coming back from 0-1 down, we also exposed some problems. We need to adjust quickly to meet the next challenge.
"The game was undoubtedly brilliant for the neutral fans, whose enthusiasm did not wane despite the cold weather. Although we were too gullible when we went 2-1 up, which led to an equalizer, United are not to be underestimated. We conceded too easily in tough moments, which could have made the result even more unpredictable. Nonetheless, I'm okay with the scoreline."
Patience in contract renewal
Speaking about his personal contract, Van Dyke revealed, "Regarding the contract extension, I don't think there will be any new developments in the short term. But I remain calm about it. As I said a few months ago, let's see what happens in the future. For now, the team and I are focused on the upcoming battle against Tottenham Hotspur, which will be a challenging League Cup semi-final, but also full of spectacle."
