ReactionVirgil van Dijk on Burnley disappointment and required response
Virgil van Dijk wants to see Liverpool respond to a frustrating outcome against Burnley as they resume their Champions League campaign.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by the Clarets in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
On top for much of the contest, they took the lead through a clinical Florian Wirtz strike during a first half in which Dominik Szoboszlai had previously hit the crossbar from a penalty kick.
But the visitors levelled after the break courtesy of a Marcus Edwards finish, and Liverpool could not summon a winner subsequently.
Arne Slot’s squad now prepare for their penultimate fixture of the Champions League’s league phase, away at French team Marseille on Wednesday evening.
“You play games to win games and especially at home, especially with all due respect against Burnley where we have a lot of chances,” said captain Van Dijk post-match.
“So I’m very disappointed at this moment. But the thing is, I can’t, we can’t stay disappointed. We have to turn this around. And the next opportunity is in three days.
“I have that responsibility as well towards our fans, towards the fans all around the world that support us, be there for us, to be in my best shape. So I have to recover, I have to be mentally ready as well.
“And I will do that. That’s what I’ve been doing for my whole career, but obviously my Liverpool career especially. It’s onto the next [game] and try to be better again.
“But it’s not about personal things, it’s all about the team, it’s all about making sure we are ready. Onto the next one.”
He continued in his assessment: “I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy.
“I think it’s not the first time, so we have to address that. It has been spoken about already but we have to address it again apparently, and Monday will be a big one for it because Wednesday will be a very, very difficult game over there.
“Not only because of the stage, the atmosphere, but we play against a [Roberto] De Zerbi team that makes it very difficult for you. So, onto Monday.”
Liverpool require a point from their remaining pair of matches to confirm at least a place in the Champions League knockout play-offs.
Automatic advancement to the Round of 16 is also within reach, though, with the Reds currently outside the top eight - who gain such qualification - on goal difference only.
“I expect a very difficult game over there, for multiple reasons,” Van Dijk said of the clash with Marseille.
“We have two group-stage games left and we want to make sure that we don’t have a play-off. If so, then obviously we have to deal with that. But we have a good chance to make that happen.
“But we have to be more than 95 minutes ready on the biggest stage again on Wednesday, in a hostile atmosphere. That’s something we have to prepare for now.”