Van Dijk warns Liverpool defence cannot sustain current form

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 18:03 · Archive

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says the team's defensive problems are unsustainable after conceding three goals in a 3-2 Champions League loss to Fenerbahce.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has condemned his team's defensive performance after losing 3-2 to Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday, having twice led in Istanbul. The Reds conceded three goals for the third consecutive match in Europe—an unprecedented occurrence in the club's history.

Van Dijk said the defending 'is definitely not sustainable' and criticised lapses in concentration on set pieces. '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,' he said. He emphasised that the team 'should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did today'.

Across the season, Liverpool have recorded just four clean sheets in 15 fixtures in all competitions, with only one in their past ten matches. The Independent reports that the intimidating home crowd played a role in the team's collapse after Fenerbahce scored their opener, although the wider pattern represents deeper vulnerabilities. With four group games remaining, Liverpool's qualification prospects remain intact.

How it is being reported

• Virgil Van Dijk issues verdict on Liverpool's defensive inconsistencyThe Reds have conceded three goals in each of their last three European outings, with their captain admitting the defensive shortcomings must be addressedIndependent Sport · 5 Nov, 17:44
• Virgil van Dijk is spot on, Liverpool's brittle defence is unsustainable and must be fixed, writes LEWIS STEELELEWIS STEELE: 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.Daily Mail Sport · 5 Nov, 17:00

In this story: Virgil van Dijk · Liverpool · Fenerbahce · Andoni Iraola · Istanbul

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