Liverpool’s newest league win moved us up the desk, however an underlying problem continues to observe us into each end result and it’s one our captain believes is costing us dearly.
Virgil van Dijk spoke candidly after the 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield, addressing Liverpool’s ongoing issues from set-pieces and making it clear that enchancment is non-negotiable.
The Dutchman was requested about one other aim conceded from a dead-ball scenario, with Santiago Bueno scoring after we didn’t take care of the second section of a nook.
“There have been loads of video games when we have now defended them very properly,” Van Dijk mentioned, through BBC Sport. “However the truth is we’ve conceded too many set-piece objectives and we don’t rating sufficient.”
Van Dijk on Liverpool set-piece issues and second phases
The 34-year-old was notably direct about the place issues are going flawed for us.
“I’d say at the very least 75% of the time or much more, it’s not even in regards to the first contact,” the Liverpool captain defined. “It’s the second section that’s the killer.”
That evaluation matches what we have now seen repeatedly this season, together with in opposition to Tottenham final week and once more on Saturday.
Van Dijk dismissed solutions the difficulty is psychological.
“Is it a psychological factor? I hope not,” he added. “If that’s in your head then it’s a problem. Personally, it’s not in my head.”
Arne Slot has additionally acknowledged the issue, stressing that Liverpool’s lack of ability to persistently threaten from our personal set-pieces whereas conceding from them stays a transparent space for development, whilst outcomes enhance.
Liverpool set-piece report (Premier League)
2025/26
Targets conceded from set-pieces
12
League rank
Joint-most
Targets scored from set-pieces (excl. pens)
3
Aim distinction from set-pieces
-9
Why Liverpool wins are masking a rising concern
Regardless of making it three league wins in a row, the underlying numbers present why Van Dijk’s feedback matter.
“We’ve got defended so many set-pieces very properly,” he mentioned. “However we’ve conceded too many objectives like that and it hurts.”
The captain confirmed the difficulty is being addressed relentlessly on the coaching floor.
“Coaching is the one solution to get higher at it,” he added. “It’s not been adequate. All of us realise that.”
Former striker John Aldridge has additionally been crucial of our sport administration in moments the place management ought to observe objectives, notably when defending slender leads late in matches.
Encouragingly, this time we did discover a solution to win, with Florian Wirtz scoring his first Liverpool aim and persevering with indicators rising that our new signing is starting to click on in open play.
However Van Dijk’s message was clear. “We have to flip it round,” he mentioned.
If we’re to show consistency into momentum below Arne Slot, fixing this flaw could also be simply as essential as something occurring on the different finish of the pitch.
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