Virgil van Dijk has revealed the hurt and heartache felt by the entire Liverpool squad at their humiliation in Naples.
But he has hit back at the army of tv critics who have been quick to condemn Jurgen Klopp’s side for a poor start to the season, by insisting it’s not the troubles endured by teams which matters…but the way they react to them.
The Reds showed some real character in their first game after the crushing defeat by Napoli, with a pulsating, last gasp win over Ajax to get their Champions League campaign off the ground.
And van Dijk said of Liverpool’s stuttering start: “There are reasons for it, why it is not going so well. I think the reasons have been highlighted, especially the game against Napoli. We were absolutely shocking that night, we know it, it hurts all of us, it hurts me.
“What we did last week was unacceptable, all of us, and the days after that game we definitely had a reality check. The last week was quite tough to watch for everyone – especially us.
“But we also have to remember we are human beings, and these moments it is also possible that it happens unfortunately. It is how you react to it that counts.”
There was a certain anger in Liverpool’s performance against Ajax, and from van Dijk as he spoke candidly to the media after the win. In particular, he questioned those ex players who don’t reflect their own experience.
And he argued that he wouldn’t do the same as a pundit: “Ex-pros and players who have played at this level know there are times when you can have a blip, a period like this unfortunately, and it is how you react to it.
Where will Liverpool finish in the table this season? Have your say in the comments below.
“They have been in our situation and everyone has been acting like you can't have a bad period, a difficult game or a difficult situation.
“It is too easy to say these type of things but they are doing their job and that is what they do. I would never go [down] that route, I think.”
Van Dijk though, didn’t shy away from Liverpool’s problems, which were still evident against Ajax in a game they dominated, but only just scraped home in the dying seconds.
And he revealed the home truths that have been frankly exchanged in the dressing room after such a shocking start by their own high standards, where they lost their identity: “The manager has spoken about it very loudly during the week.
“But as players as well we are responsible for performances on the pitch. We are the ones who have to do it. The reason behind the success is we perform as a team; collective responsibility, believe in our structure and believe in ourselves.
“If people start blaming each other personally then it's a different story. But we don't do that.
“I can do much better, I know for a fact I can do better – but we all can do better. I feel very hurt if we concede goals and don't keep clean sheets and I feel that responsibility but that's a good thing.
“I want to turn this season around not for myself but for all of us associated with the club.”
