Virgil van Dijk: Everyone is disappointed - we cannot lose in that manner
Virgil van Dijk called on Liverpool to channel the disappointment of their defeat at Fenerbahce and ensure it as an outlier.
The Reds twice took the lead during Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with the Turkish club in Istanbul.
But Fenerbahce equalised quickly on both occasions, then after the latter leveller produced a winner through Vedat Muriqi’s header.
“Everyone looked disappointed and they have a reason to be – they should be disappointed,” said Van Dijk post-match.
“We cannot lose in the manner we did. But we did and it is down to Fenerbahce as well.
“I mentioned after the last game [against Arsenal] that we as a group have to go through good moments but also lesser-good moments.
“That will only form a bigger bond and it will be only beneficial. No-one wants to lose games, especially how we did, but it should only help us in the near future.
“We should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did.”
The 3-2 loss against Fenerbahce followed three consecutive victories for Andoni Iraola’s men in the league phase.
However, the two most recent wins – over LASK and Villarreal – also saw Liverpool concede three goals.
“It’s definitely not sustainable,” said Van Dijk.
“That’s why it’s a very disappointing night for many reasons, but definitely because of the goals we conceded and the manner we conceded them as well. There is work to do.
“Three set-pieces as well. We have been very good at them so far this season, but we switched off and weren’t ready for the first and second balls. It’s a tough one to take.”
Attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, where the Reds will seek to bounce back straight away ahead of the next international break.
And the captain added: “It’s massive. When we are back in Liverpool, preparing and recovering physically and mentally, we will be looking forward.
“It is always tough at Palace and I don’t expect anything different.”
