Van Dijk demands Liverpool improve after Fenerbahce defeat

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has criticised his side’s defensive weaknesses after they conceded three goals for a third consecutive Champions League match.

The team, led by Andoni Iraola, suffered a major setback in their European campaign on Wednesday as Fenerbahce won 3-2 in Istanbul. The result ended Liverpool’s unbeaten start in the competition.

Liverpool twice took the lead but conceded all three goals from set pieces, with their defensive problems ultimately costing them the match. It was their first defeat in the Champions League this season.

Van Dijk said the performance was particularly disappointing because Liverpool had defended well for long periods before losing concentration.

“Clearly, this is not sustainable,” the Netherlands international said after the game. “It was a disappointing night for many reasons, but especially because of the goals we conceded and the way we conceded them.”

He added: “We have work to do. They were also three set pieces. We were defending very well, but we lost concentration and were not ready to compete for the first balls or the second balls. It is a difficult defeat to comprehend.”

The result continues a worrying run for Liverpool in the competition, having conceded three goals in each of their past three matches. Van Dijk said the team must respond quickly rather than accept the manner of the loss.

“Nobody wants to lose matches, especially in the way we lost this one, but this has to help us in the near future,” he said. “We must not accept defeats, especially when they come in this manner.”