Liverpool’s captain has all the time worn his feelings on his sleeve and after a 3rd straight defeat, they have been there for all to see.
Van Dijk defends workforce amid Trent Alexander-Arnold questions
Tensions have been excessive at Stamford Bridge following our 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, with Estevao Willian’s last-minute objective sealing a nightmare week for us after losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
When Virgil van Dijk confronted the media, the Dutchman didn’t maintain again after being requested repeatedly about Liverpool’s right-backs.
“The precise-back shouldn’t be the problem in the event you’re attempting to try this,” the skipper advised a reporter within the combined zone, by way of NBC Sports activities.
“You requested two questions concerning the right-backs. Possibly you’re feeling just like the right-back is the issue.”
Many pundits do imagine this can be a drawback although, with Ian Wright and Danny Murphy stating {that a} lack of safety from Mo Salah is inflicting points at proper again.
Add on Jamie Redknapp’s feedback about our full backs, it looks like many are highlighting this one key space of the pitch.
Van Dijk’s frustration is comprehensible. Between Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai, there’s been a battle for who’s match sufficient and in the very best type to be filling in at right-back.
And although Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer time transfer to Actual Madrid hit him exhausting, Van Dijk insisted that his exit isn’t the explanation we’ve struggled just lately.
“It’s not about him,” he mentioned. “He had superb high quality however he left us. Final 12 months, we performed a whole lot of video games with out him as effectively. Clearly, we have been all gutted that he left in the summertime, however that isn’t the problem.”
Van Dijk admits it was all the time going to be a ‘tough season’
After lifting the Premier League title final season, our captain is aware of expectations have by no means been larger however he urged calm, reminding everybody that cycles take time to reset.
“It was all the time going to be a tough season,” he added. “We’ve got to undergo this as one — not solely us as gamers but in addition the employees, and our followers who celebrated being champions.”
The Dutch defender’s message is obvious: unity, not panic. “There’s nonetheless loads of work to do,” he concluded.
“We all know in soccer, each three or 4 days, issues can change and momentum can change.”
That unity will likely be wanted with Manchester United visiting Anfield subsequent, a fixture that has the potential to reignite perception once we want it most.
You may view Van Dijk’s feedback by way of NBC Sports activities on YouTube:
You may watch Slot’s put up Chelsea press convention by way of Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
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