Virgil van Dijk was one of Liverpool's goalscorers as they hammered Frankfurt 5-1 on Wednesday night following three successive defeats
Virgil van Dijk was on the scoresheet as Liverpool thrashed Frankfurt in Germany
Virgil van Dijk was on the scoresheet as Liverpool thrashed Frankfurt in Germany
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Virgil van Dijk has explained why he called the unplanned team meeting that has helped rekindle Liverpool’s spluttering season. The Reds romped to a 5-1 Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday evening having lost their previous four games.
Arne Slot’s side attracted particular criticism for the manner of their dismal 2-1 reverse at home to Manchester United on Sunday, which left them on the brink of their worst run of results in 72 years.
The squad reconvened at the AXA Training Centre the following day for their usual debrief with the coaching staff, with Van Dijk also arranging an impromptu meeting for the players only to address the issues of a difficult campaign to date.
And the Liverpool skipper admitted there were a number of matters he felt needed to be aired with the new-look squad.
"On Monday everyone was sad because we lost to Man United at home," said Van Dijk. "We haven't lost many games at home during my time at Liverpool.
"It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together but it wasn't a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We're only in October.
"Obviously we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It wasn't a crisis meeting. It's not something I do after every game. Let's keep it that way!
Van Dijk added: "Nobody wants to lose four games in a row but it was the situation we faced. We had to stay calm and block out all the noise from the outside because that's something you can't control.
"The only way to get out of a situation like that is to stay together, keep your mind on the task ahead, try to improve, keep the confidence, embrace the moment. They are all things that are easier to say than actually do. But if you want to get out of it, you have to do it.
"We live in a world now where there is always noise - always something to be said, always someone who knows better. We have to stay focused on ourselves.
"Was atmosphere lower than usual? Before my meeting yes, after my meeting everyone was happy!"
Slot made a number of bold decisions for the clash at the Deutsche Bank Park, with Mohamed Salah among those benched following a switch to 4-4-2 with Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak partnered up front and Florian Wirtz starting on the right.
While Isak was forced off at half-time with a groin problem that could threaten his involvement in the Premier League at Brentford on Saturday, Ekitike netted Liverpool’s equaliser while Wirtz posted his best performance since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million in the summer by contributing second-half assists for Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
And of the formation change, Van Dijk said: "It's something we worked on in training since the weekend.
"We all know we have quality players who can adapt to different formations and operate in different roles. Frankfurt changed a bit their style of play by trying to play a bit like Man United did without a real striker, but we did well. We scored some really good goals.
"For Florian, the noise is always going to be there. When you play for Liverpool, it's something you have to embrace. It's part and parcel. He just has to take it and focus on what we think of him and what we want from him."
Ekitike's goal was his sixth in 12 games since arriving from Frankfurt for £79m in the summer. "It was a great ball from Robbo (Andy Robertson) and a great finish," said Van Dijk. "With the run he made, Hugo made it impossible for the defender. It came at an important time for us and I'm really happy for Hugo."
Van Dijk netted his second goal of the season with a header from a Gakpo corner, with centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate powering home a similar effort from a Szoboszlai delivery shortly afterwards.
Slot has recently demanded his team be more ruthless at set-pieces, and Van Dijk said: "We just had to keep going and keep trying with them.
"We've come close many times from corners so far this season. Myself and Ibou were able to get our heads on the end of them and contribute for the team."
Saturday's visit to Brentford is the third of seven pivotal games in 22 days for Liverpool, who will be up against ex-skipper Jordan Henderson and former Reds players Caomhin Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg.
"It's always difficult there," said Van Dijk. "This was an important win for us. We'll take a lot of positives from it but Saturday is another big challenge. We need to recover physically and mentally, and be ready for a tough one."
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