Van Dijk admits one Liverpool flaw is “hurting” everyone

Liverpool’s newest league win moved us up the desk, however an underlying concern continues to observe us into each consequence and it’s one our captain believes is costing us dearly.

Virgil van Dijk spoke candidly after the 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield, addressing Liverpool’s ongoing issues from set-pieces and making it clear that enchancment is non-negotiable.

The Dutchman was requested about one other purpose conceded from a dead-ball state of affairs, with Santiago Bueno scoring after we didn’t cope with the second part of a nook.

“There have been loads of video games when we now have defended them very nicely,” Van Dijk mentioned, by way of BBC Sport. “However the reality is we’ve conceded too many set-piece objectives and we don’t rating sufficient.”

Van Dijk on Liverpool set-piece issues and second phases

The 34-year-old was significantly direct about the place issues are going flawed for us.

“I might say not less than 75% of the time or much more, it’s not even in regards to the first contact,” the Liverpool captain defined. “It’s the second part that’s the killer.”

That evaluation matches what we now have seen repeatedly this season, together with in opposition to Tottenham final week and once more on Saturday.

Van Dijk dismissed options the problem is psychological.

“Is it a psychological factor? I hope not,” he added. “If that’s in your head then it’s a problem. Personally, it’s not in my head.”

Arne Slot has additionally acknowledged the issue, stressing that Liverpool’s lack of ability to constantly threaten from our personal set-pieces whereas conceding from them stays a transparent space for development, at the same time as outcomes enhance.

Liverpool set-piece document (Premier League)
2025/26

Targets conceded from set-pieces
12

League rank
Joint-most

Targets scored from set-pieces (excl. pens)
3

Purpose distinction from set-pieces
-9

Why Liverpool wins are masking a rising concern

Regardless of making it three league wins in a row, the underlying numbers present why Van Dijk’s feedback matter.

“We have now defended so many set-pieces very nicely,” he mentioned. “However we’ve conceded too many objectives like that and it hurts.”

The captain confirmed the problem is being addressed relentlessly on the coaching floor.

“Coaching is the one method to get higher at it,” he added. “It’s not been adequate. All of us realise that.”

Former striker John Aldridge has additionally been crucial of our sport administration in moments the place management ought to observe objectives, significantly when defending slender leads late in matches.

Encouragingly, this time we did discover a method to win, with Florian Wirtz scoring his first Liverpool purpose and persevering with indicators rising that our new signing is starting to click on in open play.

However Van Dijk’s message was clear. “We have to flip it round,” he mentioned.

If we’re to show consistency into momentum below Arne Slot, fixing this flaw could also be simply as essential as something occurring on the different finish of the pitch.

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