Virgil van Dijk reveals he called players meeting after Man Utd loss but claims Liverpool not in crisis mode

Liverpool have endured a challenging season, their second under Dutch boss Arne Slot, marked by a sharp decline in results and overall performance. The defending champions have struggled with uncharacteristic inconsistency, highlighted by a four-match losing streak across all competitions before the Champions League win in Germany. Defensively, the team has lost some structure and stability, conceding 18 goals in just 13 games, which is a stark regression from last term. The once-vaunted pressing system has appeared uncoordinated, allowing opponents to exploit large spaces in midfield, this has also exposed a damaging vulnerability from set-pieces, costing the team crucial points. Though Liverpool often dominate possession and create opportunities, a lack of cutting edge has meant they fail to convert chances into goals. This combination of tactical and structural failings has left the team searching for the consistency that defined their previous success.

Liverpool invested heavily this summer in a bid to refresh the squad and mount a major bid to defend their Premier League crown, but expensive summer signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, have struggled with inconsistent performances and fitness issues. Isak cost an eye-watering £125 million ($166.4m) but has scored just one goal in his first seven games across all competitions while attacking midfielder Wirtz has shown glimpses of brilliance, but taken time to adapt. Though his recent two-assist performance in the Champions League has been hailed as a breakthrough moment. Hugo Ekitike has performed well, the overall integration of the new talent has been hugely difficult for Slot.

Speaking after the win in Germany, Van Dijk said: "On Monday, everyone was sad because we lost to United at home. We haven't lost many games at home during my time at Liverpool. It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together, but it wasn't a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We're only in October. Obviously, we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It's not something I do after every game. Let's keep it that way. The only way to get out of a situation like that is to stay together, keep your mind on the task ahead, try to improve, keep the confidence, embrace the moment. They are all things that are easier to say than actually do. But if you want to get out of it, you have to do it. We live in a world now where there is always noise, always something to be said, always someone who knows better. We have to stay focused on ourselves. Before my meeting, yes (the mood was low) but after my meeting, everyone was happy!"

The win in Frankfurt was a timely boost for Liverpool’s Dutch boss, but many questions remain over the performance levels of key stars and he has a host of injuries to deal with, too. Can he get a tune out of high-profile summer signings and he’ll keep his fingers crossed the likes of Alisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak return to fitness as soon as possible. Another win this weekend would be very welcome too as the Reds travel to London to face Brentford.