Virgil van Dijk apologizes to Liverpool fans and makes honest Man City admission

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has apologized to Reds fans after another hefty defeat, this time at Manchester City in the FA Cup, with Erling Haaland punishing lax defending

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has apologized to fans(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Liverpool let down its supporters during Saturday's 4-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City, with the Reds captain sending an apology to fans.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium, with Liverpool having shipped nine goals in three games against Pep Guardiola's side so far this season.

Arne Slot's men started pretty well in East Manchester, with Mohamed Salah — fresh from announcing his departure at the end of the season — missing a good chance early on. But as soon as Haaland notched his first, Liverpool quickly collapsed.

"The penalty changed the game a little bit, and conceding just before and just after the break is a killer," Van Dijk told reporters after the final whistle. "Very difficult today. Really disappointed.

"We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but especially to the fans. And if we want to make something out of this season, we have to try and do something special in the next three games.

"Today in the second half, the intensity, where we didn't match the challenges, it was tough. And to lose then 4-0 is tough.

"We already spoke in the dressing room and it is on us. The fans were there to support us and I can only apologize to the fans with what we have shown — especially in the second half, by the way. It is difficult. Mentally, it has been a very tough overall season."

After going a goal behind, Liverpool looked defeated. Even when Hugo Ekitike won a penalty, Salah didn't look particularly confident of converting it, with James Trafford making a save.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick on Saturday(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)

"Games can change and they created a little bit of momentum," Van Dijk said as he attempted to explain what went wrong after the Reds fell behind in the first half, having started so well.

"We didn't do exactly the same things that we were doing before the penalty, and maybe that is because we tried to force it a little bit more.

"The way they press, 4-2-4, the spaces open up between the lines and maybe at a certain point, the players want to drop and get the ball a little bit more. It changed a bit of the game when we conceded before the break and it gives them a massive boost going into the second half.

"You come out of the dressing room [at half-time] to hopefully score the 2-1 as soon as possible to change the game, but obviously the opposite happens.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the touchline against Man City(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

"Then to come back from 3-0 is very difficult. But also, you shouldn't give up. That is maybe at a certain point what happened."

Exiting well before the final whistle, large numbers of Liverpool fans who had made the trip to the Etihad were singing about Xabi Alonso, who is out of work after being fired by Real Madrid.

And while the ideal scenario would see Slot turn things around at Liverpool, the pressure is undoubtedly building in a season where Liverpool has now lost 15 games in all competitions.

"It is a together thing," Van Dijk insisted. "Obviously, he is responsible as the manager, but we are the ones on the pitch, and we have to do it.

"The matter of fact is now that PSG is waiting for us. I watched a little bit of them [on Friday], and it will be so tough again. We have to be ready mentally as soon as possible.

"I've been repeating myself too many times this season. Obviously, it goes out in the media because I am here all the time, but we let our fans down today, we let ourselves down, and we let the manager down.

"Up until the penalty, maybe not, but the way we played, especially second half, that must hurt for everyone. It definitely hurts me. We focus now on Paris away but it will be a tough Sunday to digest it.

"We have been going through this for 75 percent of the season, and we can't build on certain things. We fall back into games where we get beat on intensity or how much you really want to go for it.

"It is a difficult one to take and everyone has to look at themselves. The quality is there.

"I've been lucky enough to play for Liverpool for so many years. The main thing we always had is the togetherness. We are going through a transition and we have to find it but it is still difficult performing every three days if you don't have it consistently."