Liverpool enjoyed a great start to their 2021/22 Premier League campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp's team eased to victory at Carrow Road thanks to goals from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
It was a particularly special match for Egyptian star Salah. His strike meant he has now scored in Liverpool's opening league game of the season for a fifth straight season. He also became the first Premier League player to do so. Salah provided the assists for Liverpool's other two goals, too.
An equally big positive for them was centre-back Virgil van Dijk's first competitive game after a lengthy injury layoff.
Van Dijk played just five league games last season before suffering an ACL injury in October.
After the win over Norwich, Van Dijk said he was pleased to be a part of the group again. "You visualise the game so many times in your head before you actually play. I was not tired because of the game, I was tired because of everything around it," Van Dijk said.
"It was sort of like a hurdle. I had to get over that, I felt, then it will come again. I kept training well and felt confident in my knee. It's been a tough road but I am just happy to be out there again.
"It's not the closing of a chapter. I wanted to be playing from the first time because I feel like I need it and it will improve me. But I am not a robot. I cannot be back to 100 per cent immediately. I need games, time and repetition."
Van Dijk looked in good spirits during training in Kirkby on Tuesday, alongside the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Sadio Mane. The Reds take on Burnley at Anfield on Saturday.
Norwich 0 Liverpool 3: player ratings
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
All Blacks line-up for third Test
J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.