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Virgil van Dijk has vowed that Liverpool will have to work to improve its defensive record ahead of the new season and admitted the lack of solidity at the back has been an issue in pre-season.
The Reds have played seven matches ahead of the new campaign and have kept just one clean sheet. Against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arne Slot’s rearguard looked shaky, none more so than Van Dijk, with the Liverpool skipper at fault for both goals in the 2-2 draw.
The Dutchman often followed Jean-Philippe Mateta into deeper positions, leaving a gap at the heart of defense. That repeated error contributed to both Palace goals, while the back four also lacked midfield protection.
Slot admitted after the game that Liverpool may need to make defensive adjustments going forward and claimed the side doesn’t “concede a lot of chances but we do concede goals at the moment”.
He also referenced the lack of defensive stability after each of the previous three pre-season matches, and there’s an acknowledgement throughout the team that improvements are needed over the coming weeks.
“I think we are in good shape,” Van Dijk told reporters at Wembley on Sunday, when asked how Liverpool is shaping up ahead of the new Premier League season.
“I know where you want to go with this question, the defensive part of our team. We have conceded every game we played, apart from Stoke when no fans were there.
“That is something we need to improve as a collective. Other than that it was good to feel the intensity again, to be back playing in the UK. Personally, for me to get my first 90 minutes after being ill in bed for five days.
“So many good things today but I can’t lie, I am disappointed to come to Wembley and lose the last two times.”
Asked why the side is giving up so many chances, the ex-Southampton man replied: “If it was that simple, then I would have told you immediately, and we would have fixed it.
“But it is a combination, it is collective. You defend and press as a team. So, yeah, I don’t know how many chances we gave away here… a handful.
“But the fact is that we have conceded every game bar one this pre-season. Something we have to work on, definitely. We will.
“I am not worried whatsoever. There is a reason why we were defensively good last year and we can get back to it.”
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign begins with a home clash against Bournemouth on Friday night, and Van Dijk is under no illusions how difficult it will be for the Reds to win successive titles for the first time in the Premier League era.
“This season we start from scratch and we have to work our socks off. The Premier League is so difficult, everyone can beat each other home and away; there are no easy games.
“Game by game, it is about looking after yourself, be fit, be there for the team. That is the main message and target for everyone. Everyone should look forward to Friday. It will be a very difficult season but we are all in this together.”
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