Defensive problems are not sustainable – Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk insists that Liverpool’s defensive struggles in the Champions League are “not sustainable” and that his side should not “lose in the manner” they did against Fenerbahce. Liverpool went 2-1 up in the second half in Istanbul but ended up losing 3-2 to the Turkish side, with all three of Fenerbahce’s goals coming from set-pieces. Andoni Iraola’s side have conceded three goals against Fenerbahce, Villarreal and Lask in the Champions League.

They won against Villarreal and Lask but it is the first time Liverpool have conceded three or more goals in three major European games in a row. “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.” Asked if the result angered him, the Liverpool captain added: “Yes, but I didn’t show it because everyone looked disappointed and they have a reason to be – they should be disappointed.

“We cannot lose in the manner we did. But we did and it is down to Fenerbahce as well.” After winning five games in a row in, the Reds have now tasted back-to-back defeats for the first time under Iraola, and Van Dijk believes that the experience will be only be beneficial for the Liverpool players. “I mentioned after the last game [against Arsenal] that we as a group have to go through good moments but also lesser good moments,” he said.

“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.” Liverpool flew back from Istanbul straight after the game and travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.

The Reds are currently fifth in the table with 15 points from nine games. “It’s massive. When we are back in Liverpool, preparing and recovering physically and mentally, we will be looking forward,” said Van Dijk. “It is always tough at Palace and I don’t expect anything different.” Defensive frailties exposed in Europe ByPaul Birch, BBC Sport journalist While only three top-flight sides have conceded fewer goals than Liverpool’s nine in the Premier League this season, it has been a drastically different defensive story in Europe.

The 10 goals the Reds have shipped after only four Champions League games is two more than they did across the whole of last season’s group stage, and five more than in the eight games of their 2024-25 campaign. Their average of 2.5 goals conceded per game is the worst of any of their European Cup/Champions League campaigns. Iraola described the goals Fenerbahce scored as “cheap” and “messy”, and it is easy to understand his frustration.

Before Wednesday, Liverpool had conceded only one set-piece goal (excluding penalties) in 14 matches in all competitions this season. However, Istanbul marked the first time they had let in three set-piece goals in a game since November 2017 against Sevilla. Goalkeeper Alisson was arguably to blame for two, which again raised questions about his form.

This is comfortably the worst season of his glittering Anfield career in terms of save percentage. If so-called lesser teams such as LASK, Villarreal and Fenerbahce, who have won only four of their 12 combined Champions Leagues games, can cause Liverpool so many problems at the back, what could free-scoring European heavyweights such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich do should they meet in the knockout stages?