In a candid assessment of his team's recent performance, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed that there is undeniably "something lacking" from his squad following a disappointing 1-1 draw against the struggling Burnley at Anfield last Saturday. This match was particularly frustrating for the defending champions, who have now drawn four consecutive league matches, leading to boos from their own supporters as they left the stadium.
During the first half, Florian Wirtz managed to put Liverpool ahead, shortly after Dominik Szoboszlai's missed penalty attempt. However, the team couldn't maintain their lead, with Marcus Edwards equalizing for Burnley in the second half. "Frustration is definitely the word that's on my mind," Van Dijk admitted, highlighting a pattern of sloppiness that has emerged in their gameplay.
"After about 60 minutes, we began to lose our focus, and this isn't the first time it has happened. We need to confront this issue, and although it's been discussed before, it seems we need to revisit it once more," he continued. "We have about 48 hours to reflect on this with our coaching staff to regroup and strategize moving forward. I would say that there's something missing from our game, and we are eager to rectify it."
This season marks a disappointing milestone for Liverpool, as it is the first time since the 1980-81 season that they have failed to secure a victory against any of the newly promoted teams at Anfield. Currently, they find themselves seven points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa, who also have a game in hand.
"That's the harsh reality we face, and we truly need support from our fans," Van Dijk added, visibly upset by the negative reaction from the crowd. "Hearing boos from our own supporters is something I really dislike."
Looking ahead, Liverpool faces a daunting challenge in their upcoming Champions League match against Marseille on Wednesday. Van Dijk emphasized the necessity for significant improvement in their performance. As they currently sit ninth in the Champions League standings, only the top eight teams avoid the extra playoff round in the knockout stages, which adds pressure to their situation.
Marseille, managed by former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, promises to be a formidable opponent. Van Dijk foresees a "hostile atmosphere" awaiting them in France. "Wednesday’s match will not be easy, not only because of the intense atmosphere but also due to the way a De Zerbi team plays, which can make things very challenging for us," he noted.
On a positive note, Liverpool will welcome back key player Mohamed Salah, who recently concluded his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Egypt, where they faced a heartbreaking penalties defeat against Nigeria in the third-place playoff. "Everyone should be excited about his return," Van Dijk remarked. "With his exceptional skills, he has the ability to turn games around and secure positive outcomes for us. Mo is an invaluable part of our team, both on and off the pitch. Although he couldn’t reach the AFCON final, his contribution will be crucial when he comes back."
