Virgil van Dijk
Image credit: Getty Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his side to sharpen up defensively if they are to successfully defend their Premier League crown, admitting their current form leaves room for concern.
The Reds have started the season with back-to-back victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle, but their defending has raised questions after conceding four goals in those games. With a title showdown against Arsenal looming on Sunday, Van Dijk insists improvement is essential.
“I look at it that we have to keep improving to retain the title,” Van Dijk said. “Many teams improved their squad but it is down to us personally to find the consistency and win games, and nothing else matters. In the other years we were successful, we didn’t look at the other teams. There is no point because all of the teams in the Premier League are very good. I’m really looking forward to it.”
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The Dutch defender dismissed concerns over Arsenal’s £300 million summer spending spree, instead focusing on Liverpool’s own need for consistency. He described Mikel Arteta’s side as “a fantastic team with a great manager” but stressed that Liverpool’s destiny lies in their own hands.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (Image credit: Getty Images)
“We’re playing a fantastic team that has been challenging for the Premier League for many years,” Van Dijk added. “The games we’ve played against them are very intense. We have a week to prepare, recover, and be ready. The Premier League has no easy games, especially now with the transfer window still open.”
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Van Dijk highlighted set-piece defending as Liverpool’s biggest weakness, pointing to their lapses against Newcastle as an area in urgent need of work.
“I won’t say the performance was bad because Newcastle are a very intense team, but conceding two goals from set-pieces is something we have to improve,” he admitted. “Those two goals got them back in the game and gave them belief. That’s something we must keep working on.”
Despite his concerns, Van Dijk praised Liverpool’s resilience and spirit in their opening matches, while reiterating that the early stages of the season are all about picking up points.
“We’re doing pretty well,” he said. “At this stage of the season it’s about results, but we don’t want to concede goals. Defensively, we have to step up.”
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