Liverpool lost only their second game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur but their chances came after winner Lucas Bergvall escaped a second yellow card moments before his decisive goal The camp feels disadvantaged. Number one Virgil van Dijk spoke after the game four-four-two Currently listed among the best centre-backs in the world, he admitted Liverpool were not at their best but said the defeat could have been avoided had the referee made a different decision.
“I don’t think it was necessary,” Van Dijk said of the way his team lost. “I think the goals we conceded were the disappointing part.”
But the Liverpool captain admits his side are not at the same level as they have been for much of the season.
“We’re not good enough”
“We didn’t keep the ball well enough and didn’t keep the ball long enough. [done]. We gave them the ball and gave them momentum.
“Obviously they feel 100% [motivated] Before the game, they want to get things right. We know that and then you have to find the right pass and the right moment to break through them and keep the ball a little longer, which I thought we did well at times but obviously not throughout the game. “
Tottenham Hotspur lost the same game at home 3-6 a few weeks ago and will be keen to show a different side of themselves. They did so and managed to beat Liverpool for only their second defeat in all competitions this season.
The Reds have impressed everyone so far and Van Dijk says one of the challenges is staying focused. “Don’t listen to all the noise from the outside because at the start of the season no one thought where we are now and where we’ll be.”
Dutch admits this can be difficult because “social media and media have become such a big part of people’s lives today”. Liverpool are still in contention for four trophies and Van Dijk relishes the challenge ahead.
“We’re going to have more difficult moments, that’s a fact, we’ve been there before and that’s the beauty of playing for Liverpool because every game you play is difficult and as a player there’s always pressure. It’s on us because of the size of the club and everything we’ve been through. It’s a good thing and you have to accept it and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Speaking of the Carabao Cup, the Dutch centre-back knows there will still be plenty of games to play when the two teams meet again next month. “We knew we were going to be 1-0 down when the game started [starts] At Anfield, so we have to fight, we have to work hard with our fans and our players.
“Hopefully everyone is healthy and then let’s see if we can do it. It’s going to be very tough because in my opinion they’re a very good team, very good coach, but we’ll try make it happen.”
