Reaction'Very tough to take' - Virgil van Dijk's assessment of Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool
The Reds were beaten in the Premier League by a 95th-minute finish from Amine Adli, having initially recovered from a two-goal deficit.
Evanilson and Alex Jimenez netted during a seven-minute burst in the first half to put the Cherries 2-0 up.
Van Dijk halved their lead on the stroke of half-time and Dominik Szoboszlai equalised with 80 minutes on the clock – but Adli settled the affair with the last kick.
See what Van Dijk had to say in his post-match interview with Sky Sports...
On the result...
Very disappointed. Last minute of the game, very tough to take. But like you said, we worked very hard – in the second half especially – to get back in the game. Obviously at times we were open as well because we were trying to push for the winner. But to concede that late is very disappointing.
On the winning goal...
What I felt on that pitch was that I was clearly blocked, but obviously the ref and VAR don't give it and that's something we then have to accept. In my opinion, I was blocked. But listen, I can stand here and say it should not be given – but it's given and it is what it is.
On going 2-0 behind...
Well the first goal, I think it was a difficult ball to judge during the circumstances – the wind was very tricky. I think you saw it especially when we played long balls on their side, it was very difficult to judge. So to concede that one, it's not an issue... because I think we controlled the game quite well before that. And then obviously when we were with 10 men, you can argue that you have to maybe kick the ball out or not. But to concede those two goals in a short period is obviously not good at all.
But I think the goal I scored before half-time was very important in terms of getting that momentum and the feeling for the second half back. I think we showed [in the] second half we worked so hard to get back into the game with a great free-kick. I think we had some good opportunities as well but in the end the throw-in cost us.
On Bournemouth's second goal...
After a game, after a moment like that, it's easy to say, 'Oh you should have done this or that.' It's just a split second. I think now it's easy to discuss this and say, 'You should have done this and that.' I know that's what will happen. But we decided to keep the ball, because we had the possession, and eventually they had it. Obviously a good ball from them in behind and unfortunately for us the goal we conceded.
On whether the result feels like a 'missed opportunity' in terms of the battle for Champions League qualification...
Losing never feels good and especially as a Liverpool player. I think in this season we're trying to find consistency. We had a fantastic performance in midweek and we were trying to do this today as well. A very demanding game, of course, under the circumstances [with] the intensity that obviously Bournemouth bring anyway. So, it's a tough one to take but Wednesday will be another game. We go home now and focus on that one.
On the squad's togetherness...
I don't think there's any question about our togetherness. But the consistency that we're looking for, that's something that still needs to be found. That's the reality. I think there was a lot of praise for our performances, a lot of individual praise, and we know how it works and three days later you lose a game like we did today and the other side of the world comes out. That's something we have to deal with. But we want to perform, we want to win games and today it didn't happen unfortunately.