Liverpool’s defensive woes are not sustainable, insists skipper Virgil van Dijk who says the team cannot accept losing in the way they did at Fenerbahce.
The Reds lost 3-2 having twice led in Istanbul, with individual errors and lapses in concentration costing them.
Andoni Iraola’s men have now suffered back-to-back defeats after also losing to Arsenal – and they have conceded three goals in each of their last three European games, against LASK, Villarreal and Fenerbahce.
When this statistic was put to Van Dijk, he said: ‘(Our defending) is definitely not sustainable. That’s why it is a very disappointing night, for many reasons but definitely the goals we conceded and the manner we conceded them as well. There is work to do.
‘It is very, very tough. Three set pieces as well. We have been very good at them so far this season but we switched off and were not ready for the first and second balls. Yeah, it is a tough one to take.
‘I mentioned after the last game, we as a group have to go through good moments but also lesser good moments. That will only form a bigger bond, it will be only beneficial.
Liverpool suffered a disappointing 3-2 Champions League loss to Fenerbahce on Wednesday
Captain Virgil van Dijk insisted Liverpool’s poor defending is not ‘sustainable’ after the game
‘No one wants to lose games especially how we did today but it should only help us in the near future. We should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did today.’
Asked if he was angry, the Dutchman said: ‘Yes. But I didn’t show it today because everyone looked disappointed and they have a reason to be, they should be disappointed. We cannot lose in the manner we did today. But we did that and it is down to Fenerbahce as well.’
Analysis: Reds’ defence is a mess
By LEWIS STEELE
Van Dijk is right. The defence has been all over the place at times this season – especially in Europe.
Iraola thought he had won the game with a masterstroke triple substitution just after the hour mark when Cody Gakpo assisted Alexander Isak two minutes after the pair joined Florian Wirtz in entering the field.
But in trying to win the game – which is commendable – Iraola left the back door open. It felt ajar all night as Fenerbahce continually had joy down the flanks.
Van Dijk was asked if the deafening atmosphere of the Istanbul crowd played a part and said: ‘It is very difficult for everyone on the pitch because you can’t communicate easily.’
That could be an excuse but these players are world class and cannot put too much blame on the atmosphere.
Jeremy Jacquet has been imperious since joining from Rennes but the Frenchman had his first bad game in a Liverpool shirt, while Van Dijk was not too much better.
Milos Kerkez (above) and Kostas Tsimikas are proving a serious problem at left back
Alisson, too, has left questions to be asked over his performances of late. After giving the ball away cheaply for Arsenal’s winner on Sunday, he was at fault for Fenerbahce’s decisive goal by dilly-dallying over whether to come for a cross. He should have gobbled it up.
But the real problem is at full back. Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas are not good enough – not now, anyway. That should be first on the priority list in future transfer windows.
Ronald Araujo, rested on the night, was missed.
The approach of ‘you can score, we will score more’ has been used – intentionally or not – in most European games this term. When it comes off, as it did in 6-3 and 4-3 wins over LASK and Villarreal respectively, it is exciting.
When it doesn’t, Liverpool just look a vulnerable mess. Work to do for Iraola ahead of a trip to Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace on Sunday, where Pierre Sage is fighting for his life.
