'Frustrated' Virgil van Dijk lifts lid on locker room reaction to Bournemouth game

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called on his side to respond after the late defeat at Bournemouth, with the Reds taking to the field against Qarabag in the Champions League

Virgil van Dijk emerges before a Liverpool training session(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has lifted the lid on the mood in the Liverpool locker room after the team dropped points by conceding in second-half stoppage time for the fifth time this season at Bournemouth.

Amine Adli scored in the 95th minute at the weekend after Dominik Szoboszlai had pulled Liverpool level around a quarter of an hour earlier. Losing another point at Bournemouth, that takes it to seven that the Reds have squandered in added time of Premier League matches this year.

"It was very disappointing to see our unbeaten run come to an end on Saturday, of course," Van Dijk writes in Wednesday's official matchday program ahead of the Champions League clash with Qarabag.

"To lose the way we did, in stoppage time and from such a scrappy goal, having battled so hard to get back into the game, left us all extremely frustrated.

"And for that result to come off the back of a very good one over in Marseille only adds to that sense of frustration.

"That's football. We got a lot of praise, collectively and individually, after the win against Marseille, but three days later, it's the complete opposite. Now we have to pick ourselves up and go again for another big game."

Van Dijk struggled against Bournemouth(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Slowly but surely, Liverpool needs to build up its confidence levels, but must do so with some glaring holes in defense, with Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate set to miss Wednesday's game.

"I have said all season long that the key to successful teams is consistency, and that remains the case," Van Dijk continues.

"We know what we are capable of as a team, but we have to find that consistency and deliver strong performances, week in and week out. It is on every one of us to accept that responsibility.

"I know that you guys are frustrated also, but that you will be behind us this evening as always. Like I say, this competition means a lot to everybody, and we are determined to go as far as we possibly can in it.

"We want that last-16 place badly, and we will give everything we have to get it. Let's embrace the challenge and find that consistency once more."

Liverpool.com says: It is odd that there has been such a difference between how the Reds have performed in Europe and the Premier League (the hammering against PSV aside).

While there are mitigations in some ways, Liverpool needs solutions, not explanations. Arne Slot simply has to improve results domestically, no matter how far his side goes in the Champions League.