Van Dijk condemns Liverpool’s defensive lapses after Istanbul defeat

Virgil van Dijk criticised Liverpool’s defence after Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahçe in Istanbul. The result ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League. Managed by Andoni Iraola, Liverpool conceded three goals, all from set pieces, despite taking the lead twice.

It was Liverpool’s first Champions League defeat this season. Captain Van Dijk called out the defensive weakness and said the team needed to improve significantly.

The defender summed up his frustration after the match: « It is obvious that this is not sustainable. It was a disappointing night for many reasons, but above all because of the goals we conceded and the way we conceded them. » He also highlighted the three goals from set pieces and Liverpool’s struggles over the first and second balls: « We have work to do. They were also 3 set pieces. We were defending very well, but we lost our concentration and we were not ready to fight for the first balls or the second balls. It is a difficult defeat to digest. »

In the Premier League, Liverpool sit fifth with 15 points after 9 matches. Their record in the competition is 4 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats, with 11 goals scored and 9 conceded. Across their last 5 league matches, they have won 3 and lost 2.

Van Dijk urged his teammates to learn from the setback: « Nobody wants to lose games, especially in the way we lost, but this has to help us in the near future. We must not accept defeats, especially when they happen in this way. »