Virgil van Dijk has apologised to Liverpool followers for a torrid show at Manchester Metropolis and says the group are letting down under-fire boss Arne Slot.
The Reds have been thrashed 4-0 on the Etihad Stadium within the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday and loads of the 7,600 travelling supporters have been lengthy passed by full-time.
Captain Van Dijk says this season has been extraordinarily robust – however the Dutchman has vowed to do all he can to place it proper forward of a defining Champions League tie in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain.
‘I have been repeating myself too many occasions,’ he stated. ‘Clearly, it goes out within the media as a result of clearly I am right here on a regular basis.
‘We let our followers down at this time. We let ourselves down and the supervisor, however we let our followers down at this time.
Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool have been despatched crashing out of the FA Cup by the hands of Man Metropolis
‘Up till the penalty, possibly not… however the way in which we performed particularly within the second half. That should damage for everybody. It positively hurts me. So the main focus is now on Paris away, but it surely’s robust. It will likely be a tricky Sunday to digest it.
‘I will be with my son (on Sunday), in order that’s at the very least a very good factor. Household on the finish of the day is crucial factor, however aside from that I’m making an attempt to assume how we will flip it round however we’ve been going by means of this for nearly 75 per cent of the season.
‘The place we do properly however we will not construct on sure issues and we fall again into video games the place we get beat on depth or beat on how a lot you actually need to go for it.
‘It’s a troublesome one to take and everybody has to have a look at themselves. I’m talking for myself however it’s mentally robust in the meanwhile to take this.’
Van Dijk added: ‘Clearly you come out of the dressing room with the best intentions to attain and make it 2-1 and alter the sport, however the reverse occurred after which to return again from 3-0 is clearly very troublesome right here. But additionally you shouldn’t hand over, and that’s possibly what occurred at a sure level.
‘It is extremely troublesome. Very troublesome. However we’ve a accountability, not solely to ourselves however particularly to the followers and, if we need to make one thing out of this season, we’ve to try to do one thing particular within the subsequent three video games.’
Requested if the squad have been nonetheless behind boss Slot, he stated: ‘Effectively, it is a collectively factor, is not it? Clearly, he is accountable because the supervisor, however we’re those on the pitch that should do it.
‘So, yeah, we… The matter of reality is now PSG is ready for us. I watched them yesterday a little bit bit, and it will likely be so robust once more. So we’ve to be prepared mentally as quickly as doable.
‘I have been fortunate sufficient to play for Liverpool for therefore a few years and the principle factor at all times was the togetherness.
‘Now, clearly, we’re in a little bit little bit of a transition so we’ve to search out it. It is nonetheless troublesome to then carry out every three days if we do not have it constantly if you recognize what I imply. The togetherness on the pitch to point out it for 90 plus minutes each three or 4 days.
‘That’s troublesome.’
