Virgil van Dijk reacts to Liverpool's 2-1 win over Brentford on what was his 150th game as captain of the club in the Premier League

Virgil van Dijk says he is "really blessed" after his 150th Premier League game as Liverpool captain ended with a 2-1 win at Brentford.

Van Dijk was given the armband on a permanent basis by Jurgen Klopp when Jordan Henderson departed in 2023 and the centre-back has lifted the 2024 League Cup and the Premier League in 2025 since taking over the responsibility.

The Netherlands defender played an important part in the side that ended an unbeaten Brentford home record that stretched back to February on Saturday as goals from Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak turned it around after Keane Lewis-Potter's header.

The Bees ended the game with nine men after Yehor Yarmoliuk and Vitaly Janelt were dismissed at the end of the first and second half, respectively, and Van Dijk talked up the importance of the victory after the game and what it meant to reach the personal milestone.

"I help with everything I can, on and off the pitch," the Reds skipper said. "Leading by example is how it starts but obviously it is not always easy coming to a different country and adapting as soon as possible, but they did well.

"Keep learning, keep going and keep wanting to be important, and that is definitely the case. To be the club captain of Liverpool FC is such a big honour.

"It isn't something I thought about because it was far too out of reach, but to be in that bracket is amazing. It is an absolute honoir and I am really blessed.

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"Brentford were 1-0 up but we were doing pretty well. We dealt with their danger pretty well. We were 1-0 down but the message [at half time] was play around it and make sure we are ready in transition because they are good in set-pieces.

"[We needed to] stay patient. Be aware of their strengths being set-pieces and counter-attacks, and make the right decisions with the ball and get the ball into the box.

"I think we did that second half pretty well. Let's hope [the win means we're becoming more resilient]. I didn't know it was that long [since Brentford had lost at home], but it is a good sign.

"It is a very tough place to come and it showed. Teams that come here, including ourselves over the years, they always have it tough. I am happy that we took the three points."

On Florian Wirtz and Munoz, who combined for for the equaliser, Van Dijk added: "I think Flo is doing well. He is always going to be in the spotlight playing for Liverpool - one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is just about him showing each and every game that he is a Liverpool player.

"I think [Munoz] was very good. It was a great goal and defensively, he was holding himself pretty well [when he went to right-back].

"With the long kicks, it is not easy to (challenge) Kevin Schade, who is very good in the air. But I think he did well and so did the rest of the team.

"He is very fast but he is a very hard-working player that has settled in well and it is down to him to keep going."

Rio Ngumoha also contributed significantly to the win when he replaced Jeremie Frimpong early in the second half after the Netherlands full-back pulled up with an injury six a few minutes after his own introduction.

Van Dijk said of 18-year-old Ngumoha: "He played very well. Just keep going [is the message].

"I don't see a real difference in him [this season], but the experience he gets from playing and from training and the good and less good moments will definitely help him. That is definitely good."