Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence following his team’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, a result that has raised questions about the Reds’ title credentials. Known for his calm and measured presence in front of the cameras, Van Dijk appeared frustrated as he reflected on a night in which almost nothing went right for Liverpool—including what he described as an “unacceptable” refereeing decision that disallowed a crucial first-half goal.
City dominated at the Etihad Stadium, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku sealing a comprehensive victory. Yet the most debated moment of the match was Liverpool’s disallowed goal—a towering header from Van Dijk ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside involving Andy Robertson. While diplomatic in his words, Van Dijk’s frustration was evident.
“In football there are key moments,” Van Dijk said after the match. “Those moments can change everything. But the reality is that we lost here 3-0, and that’s a big blow.”
The disallowed goal came at a pivotal stage. Liverpool had briefly regained control after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved an early penalty from Haaland, giving the traveling fans a moment of hope. But once City’s striker found the net, the momentum swung sharply in Manchester’s favor, and Liverpool never recovered.
Tactically, Van Dijk admitted that Liverpool struggled against City’s fluid midfield, particularly with Bernardo Silva frequently dropping deep to create overloads. “The first half was difficult,” he said. “They were more comfortable on the ball, and it was hard for our forwards to apply pressure.”
The sight of Jeremy Doku tearing down the wing was another blow for Liverpool. Van Dijk avoided blaming young full-back Conor Bradley, instead pointing to systemic issues in the team’s pressing. “Our pressing was not good enough,” he said. “As a team, we didn’t do it well enough. We could’ve done better in possession too.”
Despite recent strong performances, including a dominant European win and a confident league display, Liverpool arrived in Manchester expecting to compete. The result, therefore, was not just a hit to the table but also a psychological setback at a stage where consistency is key.
“It’s finding consistency,” Van Dijk emphasized. “Losing always hurts, especially 3-0. Now we go away with our national teams, stay fit, and prepare for a big run afterward.”
He was careful to reject the idea that Liverpool are in decline but acknowledged the need for improvement. “There were good moments, of course,” he said. “But you’re playing Manchester City at home—they can make it difficult for any opponent. We have to reflect when we come back and fight again. We’re not giving up; it’s a long season, and there’s a big fight ahead.”
The defeat does not end Liverpool’s ambitions. The gap in sharpness, organization, and execution between the sides was clear, with City appearing ruthless and calm while Liverpool looked stretched and uncertain. Fans will remember the VAR call, which could have altered the match’s energy and momentum. Yet Van Dijk understands that relying on fine margins is not a sustainable path in the Premier League, especially against a team of City’s quality.
As the captain said, the response will come after the international break: it’s a matter of consistency, or the risk of collapse. Liverpool have been here before. The question now is whether they can rise again. Van Dijk believes they can, and the pitch will ultimately deliver the final answer
