Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool's players are working hard to get up to speed as soon as possible, and he "fully trusts" the club to make the right transfer decisions this week
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts
Virgil van Dijk has insisted that Liverpool should not be worried about the manner of the goals that it conceded against Newcastle on Sunday — admitting that Andoni Iraola's team remains a "work in progress".
As so often happened last season, Liverpool was far too easy to play through centrally at St James' Park, with both Newcastle goals coming in the same manner, when huge gaps opened up in the center.
That is a familiar issue, too, with Arne Slot's Liverpool having come unstuck that way time and time again last term. There is a legitimate question, especially in the trickier away fixtures like this one, about whether the tactical set-up is too big a gamble.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak reaction speaks volumes as Szoboszlai saves Liverpool late - 5 talking points
"I don't think it is a worry," Van Dijk, speaking to reporters post-match, insisted. "It is something we definitely have to improve, but it is not a worry. That's the only thing I can say about it.
"I think it is absolutely normal in any type of profession or work that if you come in new and you have new plans and ideas that it takes a bit of time.
"It is down to us to do it as soon as we can. We want to improve. We want to win. We want to do better. That is what we are going to try and do from tomorrow."
Alexander Isak, returning to Newcastle for the first time since his $169 million (£125 million) exit last summer, following a long-drawn-out saga that dragged on for months, was relentlessly booed, and he struggled to get into the game.
Andoni Iraola applauds the Liverpool fans after drawing 2-2 with Newcastle.
Andoni Iraola applauds the Liverpool fans after drawing 2-2 with Newcastle.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alongside Florian Wirtz, the Liverpool front two were ineffective on the day, needing a long-range strike from Cody Gakpo and then a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to earn a point.
"I wasn't affected by it if I was him," Van Dijk said. "I don't think he was affected by it. He tried to play his game. There were good moments and there were moments he could have done better, like all of us. I don't think that impacted him.
"In my opinion, he had a fantastic World Cup. He had a very good pre-season. He is fit and looks very sharp in training and I have full confidence that he will be very important for us.
"Like I said, he wants to be successful. It is down to all of us to make him successful, but also up to him to make it successful as well. We need to be together."
One thing that would help the Liverpool attack is some additional movement in the transfer market this week. Moves for Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh are ongoing, with the September 1 transfer deadline edging closer.
"Everyone wants to see quality arrive regardless," Van Dijk said when he was asked about the importance of adding extra signings. "I fully trust the club and the board to make the right decisions. That's the only thing I can say.
"Let's see what they do. Regardless of what happens, we are Liverpool and we have to give everything. For us, we have to show a reaction from last year. We have nothing to prove to the outside world, in my opinion. It is to ourselves.
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"The way we train, the way we approach games, it is down to us to show a reaction. Last year it was very unacceptable, but that was last year. I don't want to talk about that — we are looking forward and looking to improve."
"I think if we have to answer questions from the outside world, I don't think that's on us," Van Dijk added. "What we have to do as players at Liverpool Football Club is be much better than we were last year.
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"That is the responsibility everyone has to feel. Obviously there are some changes that are happening in the club and that is clearly visible.
"Some players have left, some players have come to the club, and it is down to us to be as good as we can as soon as possible, and challenge on all four fronts, hopefully as soon as possible.
"Hopefully next week it will be very close to what (Iraola) wants us to do. Like I say, we work on it every day. We do long hours on the training ground and that will only benefit all of us, including our loyal and trusted supporters."