Van Dijk Reflects on Liverpool’s Struggles After Draw Against Burnley

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged that there was “something lacking” in his team’s performance following their 1-1 draw with struggling Burnley at Anfield on Saturday.

The defending champions have now recorded four consecutive draws in the league, prompting boos from their own supporters at the conclusion of the match.

Florian Wirtz initially gave Liverpool the lead in the first half, just ten minutes after Dominik Szoboszlai missed a penalty. However, Marcus Edwards equalized for Burnley in the second half.

“Frustration is the word that definitely comes to mind,” Van Dijk stated. “After 60 minutes, we started to slip into sloppiness, and unfortunately, this isn’t the first occurrence. We need to address this, and while we’ve discussed it before, it appears we must revisit the issue.”

“We have another 48 hours to evaluate our performance, along with the coaching staff. It’s crucial that we debrief and take action. I would say there is something lacking at the moment, and we are determined to rectify that.”

This season marks the first time since 1980-81 that Liverpool has failed to secure a victory against any of the promoted teams at Anfield. Currently, they find themselves seven points behind third-placed Aston Villa, who have a game in hand.

“That is the reality, and we need support,” Van Dijk added. “I do not appreciate the boos from our fans.”

Looking ahead, Van Dijk’s side faces a challenging Champions League fixture against Marseille on Wednesday. The 34-year-old emphasized the necessity for improvement as Liverpool sits ninth in the Champions League standings, with only the top eight avoiding an additional playoff round in the knockout stages.

Marseille is managed by former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, and Van Dijk anticipates a “hostile atmosphere” during the match. “Wednesday will be a very difficult game, not only because of the atmosphere but also due to the challenges posed by a De Zerbi-managed team that makes it tough for opponents.”

Liverpool will welcome back star player Mohamed Salah after Egypt’s campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations concluded with a penalty shootout loss to Nigeria in the third-place playoff.

“Everyone should look forward to his return,” said Van Dijk. “With his quality, he can win games and lead us to positive results. Mo is an invaluable member of our squad, both on and off the pitch. While it is unfortunate he could not reach the final of the Afcon, he will need to contribute upon his return.”