Virgil van Dijk response speaks volumes as he hits back at Liverpool claims

Liverpool have won only three games in their last seven matches in all competitions after a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, but captain Virgil van Dijk is refusing to panic and dismissed suggestions they are in a crisis

Virgil van Dijk countered claims Liverpool have suffered a ‘mini-wobble’ – saying their response at Nottingham Forest spoke volumes.

The Reds’ skipper responded to questions about them picking up three wins from their last seven Premier League outings by insisting that his side has been ‘outstanding’ this season.

Instead, he pointed to the last half-hour at the City Ground, in which Arne Slot ’s men mounted a sustained attempt to take the points back to Merseyside as evidence. Asked about the current run, he said: “So, are we in a crisis now? The result at Forest only confirms the Premier League is a very tough league where you play against opponents who are very good.

“Forest was always going to be tough, same with United at home, with their new manager and the gameplan they have been showing especially against the bigger teams, we have seen already.

“We have to find a way to win and I think if we play like we did in the second half and keep fighting, keep trying, keep finding opportunities then I am very confident we will score goals as well like we have been doing all season. I think we have been very, very good this season. We have to keep working and fighting and if we play like we did in the second half today and we finish off the chances, we’ll be fine. We’ll keep going.”

Slot gambled in an effort to change the game’s dynamic. Taking of Ibrahima Konate and sending on Diogo Jota reaped instant reward when the Portuguese struck with his first touch of the game.

Van Dijk added: “When you look at how they were playing, Chris Wood up top and basically a 4-5-1, you could take a bit of a risk. Our press was good and if you’re reading the game well, you shouldn’t have many problems. The second half was good. We tried everything. We fought until the very last second but it wasn’t enough to win the game.”

A trip to Brentford awaits on Saturday and van Dijk referenced the Bees’ late fightback against Manchester City that earned them a point. But he insisted that if levels were maintained, there was no reason for any panic. He added: “We have been outstanding the whole season with everything we have been doing.

“In games, things don’t always go your way; that’s life, that’s part of being a footballer. We can’t be perfect all the time, but all the hard work we have put in so far should give us the confidence to go out there and show who we are.

“That’s how I see it and that’s what we try to make sure everyone feels like that. So far this season has been going well. A draw at Forest and a draw against United doesn’t feel great but we have another opportunity on Saturday to work our socks off and get a win in London and then it’s on to the next one and the next and the next.”

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