Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits the shock residence defeat to Nottingham Forest ought to function a actuality examine for a group which has aspirations to problem for the title.
Whereas the bar for Arne Slot’s first season in cost was set at Champions League qualification following the wholesale modifications over the summer time, opening the marketing campaign with three wins and no objectives conceded raised expectations.
Nonetheless, these had been punctured by a deflating 1-0 defeat – Forest’s first at Anfield since 1969 – and Van Dijk mentioned that ought to function a reminder of the excessive requirements which must be met.
“General it was a disappointing afternoon, one thing we didn’t wish to occur,” mentioned the Netherlands worldwide.
“However we now have to show this round and make this kind of a actuality examine to be higher for the remainder of the season, as a result of if you wish to obtain issues the distinction between the video games we performed is simply too huge.
“We all know how direct they’re so enjoying towards a giant striker you possibly can typically lose a problem and you must be prepared for the second ball and each time there was a second ball they had been on the precise aspect of it.
“They acquired momentum by way of successful the precise challenges they usually did they job very effectively and by way of ourselves we weren’t ok.
“That’s the disappointing a part of it.”
A disjointed show created its personal issues for Liverpool after which when Callum Hudson-Odoi got here off the bench to attain the primary objective conceded by Slot’s aspect this season within the 72nd minute there was no late rally from the hosts.
That was in distinction to a number of the last-minute heroics seen beneath predecessor Jurgen Klopp however Van Dijk denied the extra measured strategy of his compatriot didn’t make it troublesome to go up a gear when it was crucial.
“We nonetheless tried however I feel we had been too rushed, we put the ball within the field a bit too fast or overplayed it and you then don’t get the momentum you wish to get,” added Van Dijk, who additionally rejected the suggestion the worldwide break had interrupted their rhythm.
“It’s troublesome for me to say. Everyone seems to be getting back from totally different locations and enjoying a special means however nonetheless I feel after we weren’t at our greatest, we created probabilities and it ought to have gone higher.
“However it’s a efficiency we’re undoubtedly not pleased with, we anticipate so much higher from ourselves and shedding at house is one thing that may’t occur.
“We’ve to show it round fairly rapidly and that would be the focus.”
AC Milan up subsequent
Liverpool have a fast alternative to place issues proper as they head to Italy to face AC Milan within the Champions League on Tuesday.
“Clearly everyone seems to be dissatisfied however we additionally remind ourselves that Tuesday is one other huge recreation,” he mentioned.
“If you wish to dwell on issues it is just going to backfire on your self.”
Though Liverpool have did not put collectively what may very well be classed as full performances of their three earlier victories they’ve had not less than had a dominant 45 minutes in every.
Nonetheless, there was none of that towards Forest with passes usually going astray and gamers seemingly on totally different wavelengths.
The closest they got here to scoring was when Luis Diaz each hit the submit and in addition noticed goalkeeper Matz Sels virtually fumble his header over the road within the first half.
Forest’s alternatives had been few and much between with their 31 per cent possession however having stored their opponents at arm’s size Hudson-Odoi struck the decisive blow.
