Van Dijk: Liverpool's confidence plummets

Virgil van Dijk admits 'Liverpool's confidence is crumbling' after making their worst start to the Premier League campaign in a decade.

Liverpool's 3-2 loss to Arsenal in Sunday's game at the Emirates Stadium leaves them with 10 points from eight games - their lowest return since the 2012-13 season (nine).

The Reds have conceded 16 goals in their last 12 league games and have kept just two clean sheets, while conceding the game's first goal on 10 occasions.

And centre-back Van Dijk, who has been criticized for his performances this campaign, accepts that a lack of confidence plays a part in Liverpool's disappointing form.

"Trust is definitely a thing that plays a role. We are all human beings," he told Sky Sports.

"Sometimes you need a little confidence at certain times. If it's not that high, it won't help in certain situations.

"Every human being needs confidence to perform at the highest level. If you don't win, the confidence is gone.

"We know we can turn the tide, but we have to work hard. It's the only thing to do and also the only way forward."

Liverpool equalized twice in their thrilling game with Arsenal, only for Bukayo Saka to claim victory for the home side with a 76th-minute penalty.

The kick was awarded after Thiago Alcantara was found guilty of fouling Gabriel Jesus, but Van Dijk does not believe it should have been given.

“Obviously it was a very tough game for both teams. We had good times, we had bad times,” he said.

"Then it was decided by a penalty which, from my point of view, was not a penalty. But it's going so fast, I didn't watch in slow motion.

"Unfortunately we couldn't get the points to bring back to Liverpool."

Liverpool are 10th in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal with a game less, after failing to win any of their first four league games for the first time in 12 years.

Unlike the slow start of their opponents, Arsenal have won at least eight of their first nine league games for only the fourth time in their history.

"We know they are having the best time of their lives," added Van Dijk. "They had a great season and we knew it would always be tough.

"But I think we had good moments and created good chances at times. It's hard to lose it with a penalty in my opinion, but it is, so we have to deal with it. "

Liverpool return to the Champions League on Wednesday with a trip to Rangers, before hosting Manchester City when they return to the league next weekend.