Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised his team's composed response following a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, highlighting their ability to recover and secure a 3-1 victory against AC Milan in the Champions League. Van Dijk acknowledged that the team initially struggled after conceding an early goal but credited the players for sticking to head coach Arne Slot's game plan. He noted the importance of remaining calm and executing their strategy rather than panicking, contrasting their performance against Milan with the chaos observed during the Forest match. The captain also commended the contributions of players like Cody Gakpo, who made a significant impact in his first start of the season. This win places Liverpool third in the Champions League standings as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. Van Dijk emphasized the need for the team to focus on their performance amidst external criticism, stating, 'The only influence we have is what we do on the pitch.'