Virgil van Dijk said he would not alter his view of the Liverpool–Manchester City rivalry after the Premier League’s independent commission found the Citizens guilty of breaching financial rules. The Dutch defender, who captained Liverpool in a 3‑0 defeat to City at Anfield, stressed that the on‑field competition remains unchanged, while he would wait for the final verdict before offering any further comments.
The two clubs have long been locked in a fierce title battle, with City winning the Premier League in 2018‑19 and 2020‑21 by a single point over the Reds. The recent investigation into City’s financial conduct has cast a shadow over those triumphs, but van Dijk insisted that the sporting contest itself was still “great” and that his enjoyment of the rivalry would not be affected. “What happened off the pitch is for others to decide,” he told reporters, adding that he would share his opinion once the process concluded.
Anfield was a hostile environment for the visiting side, with Liverpool supporters chanting “cheats” throughout the match. Van Dijk acknowledged the intensity of the crowd’s reaction, noting that the emotions were palpable and that fans would likely continue to express their views. He also cautioned that it was not yet appropriate for players to weigh in on the matter, preferring to keep the focus on the game.
Liverpool’s captain highlighted the pressure of playing at home against the league leaders, describing the match as a “big game” that was expected to be fought to the end. He admitted that injuries had hampered the team’s performance in the first half, where they showed “a lot of fight and intensity” but ultimately fell short, ending the match 3‑0. The loss was a painful reminder of the gap between the two sides, especially after City’s depleted squad had still managed to dominate.
Looking ahead, van Dijk’s comments suggest that the rivalry will continue on the pitch regardless of the off‑pitch controversy. He plans to release his full perspective once the commission’s findings are finalised, but for now he remains focused on the sport itself. The outcome of the investigation will likely influence how fans and clubs perceive the relationship, but the competitive spirit between Liverpool and Manchester City is expected to persist in the Premier League’s forthcoming fixtures.