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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter

Van Dijk urges Wirtz to ignore ‘numbers game’ after German denied first Liverpool goal

Van Dijk Liverpool Florian Wirtz Flo Virgil van Dijk EPL Sunderland
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz was denied the credit for his first goal at the club, which was deemed an own goal
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz was denied the credit for his first goal at the club, which was deemed an own goal. Photograph: Jon Super/AP

Florian Wirtz should ignore his Premier League numbers and not lose confidence in his world-class ability at Liverpool, believes Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool’s £116m summer signing thought he had scored his first goal for the club against Sunderland on Wednesday only for the 81st-minute equaliser to be deemed an own goal by defender Nordi Mukiele. The decision means the 22-year-old is still without a goal or an assist in 13 league appearances for the champions. Van Dijk, however, is convinced Wirtz is on the right path at Liverpool and will prove he is an elite level player.

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