A difficult night for Van Dijk, a promising one for Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk is not a man who hides from his responsibilities, and he did not hide from his performance against Villarreal on Tuesday evening. The Liverpool captain gifted the visitors an early opening that Villarreal converted, and a second goal followed before the half-hour was up. Van Dijk's verdict on his own contribution was blunt: "It was a terrible start. I tried but it was a bad day at the office personally but we do it together with 11 players." For a player of his standing, that kind of candour says a great deal about the culture Andoni Iraola is building at Anfield.

What made the evening worth talking about, though, was not the first half. Liverpool fought back to level before the break, then took control after it, eventually winning a breathless Champions League encounter 4-3. "It wasn't a great first half but we got it turned around," Van Dijk acknowledged. For a side that too often last season accepted defeat when it arrived early, this felt different.

Three comebacks already, and only October

Here is the number that matters. Iraola's Liverpool have now come from behind to win three times in eleven matches this campaign. Last season, under Arne Slot, that happened twice across the entire term. Tuesday's victory over Villarreal was the second consecutive match in which the Reds overturned a deficit, following the 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday and a similar comeback at home to Atletico Madrid the month before. The draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in August, when Liverpool were also behind, mean the current side has already matched last season's tally of successful recoveries too.

That resilience does not appear to be accidental. Iraola's demand for a more aggressive, pressing style of play is clearly having an effect, particularly in the second half against Villarreal when Liverpool visibly shifted through the gears. Van Dijk is explicit about where that energy comes from. "What the manager wants us to do is something which resonates with Liverpool," he said. "It's not easy, it's demanding but if you want to win games and win games in the Liverpool way then we have to do it."

Ngumoha steps up, senior players step in

The night also belonged in large part to teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who provided assists for both Ronald Araujo's equaliser and Alexis Mac Allister's go-ahead goal from his position on the right flank. Van Dijk was generous in his assessment: "He was a complete threat constantly and their defender had a tough time." High praise, but the captain was also careful to frame Ngumoha's development as a collective effort from the squad's more experienced members.

With Mohamed Salah having departed in the summer, the question of who helps shape the next generation of Liverpool's wide players is a real one. Van Dijk pointed to Cody Gakpo as particularly central to that process, though he stressed the responsibility is shared across the dressing room. "Everyone has that role in order to help the youngsters in the group," he said, adding that Ngumoha's time working alongside Salah last season had been invaluable groundwork. There is clearly more to come from the youngster, and those around him seem intent on making sure he gets there.

Brighton next, and a defining stretch ahead

The relentless schedule continues on Sunday with Brighton visiting in the Premier League, and Van Dijk was under no illusions about the challenge they represent. "Brighton are flying high and it will be a tough one," he said. Liverpool are in the middle of a nine-game run spanning just 29 days, and Van Dijk has one eye on what comes after: "Especially November-December, when I think you can see who will be challenging for certain places."

For now, though, the focus is singular. The character shown against Villarreal matters, but it will only mean something if it carries into Sunday and beyond.