Van Dijk Warns Liverpool's Defensive Woes Are Not Sustainable

The Dutch captain hit out at his side's defensive errors after the 3-2 Champions League defeat to Fenerbahçe, insisting they cannot keep gifting goals from set pieces

A Night to Forget

Liverpool lost 3-2 to Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League despite taking the lead twice. Trey Nyoni opened the scoring in the 25th minute, but Mason Greenwood equalized with a free-kick that deflected in off Jeremy Jacquet. Alexander Isak restored the lead, though confusion from a set piece ended with Archie Brown tucking home after Cody Gakpo flicked the ball to the back post. Vedat Muriqi completed the comeback in the 79th minute with a towering header, despite being outnumbered by Jacquet, Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister inside the penalty area.

The Stats That Worry

Liverpool conceded three set-piece goals in a Champions League game for just the second time, along with their 3-3 draw with Sevilla in 2017, though it was the first time they have ever let in three non-penalty set-piece goals in one game. The Reds have now conceded 10 goals in four Champions League games this season and shipped 3+ goals in three consecutive major European games for the first time. It was also only the third time they have taken the lead twice and lost, and the latest (69th minute) they have gone ahead in a major European match and still been beaten.

Van Dijk's Warning

"It's definitely not sustainable," said Virgil van Dijk. "That's why it's very disappointing 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." The defeat comes after the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League. Andoni Iraola's side travel to face Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Van Dijk believes the midweek experience will only be beneficial: "We as a group have to go through good moments but also less good moments. That will only form a bigger bond. We should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did."