Virgil van Dijk has revealed the reasoning behind the impromptu team meeting that sparked Liverpool’s revival following their stunning 5-1 Champions League triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday night. The Reds had endured four consecutive defeats prior to their emphatic victory, with particular scrutiny falling on their woeful 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Defeat in Frankfurt would have completed Liverpool’s worst run of form in 72 years and the hosts went 1-0 up. But the Premier League champions responded in style with five unanswered goals. Following their customary post-match analysis of the United loss with Arne Slot’s coaching team at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, Van Dijk organised an additional players-only discussion to tackle the mounting concerns surrounding their challenging campaign.
The Liverpool captain acknowledged several issues required urgent attention within the revamped squad. “On Monday everyone was sad because we lost to Man United at home,” said Van Dijk. “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 wasn’t a crisis meeting. It’s not something I do after every game. Let’s keep it that way!” Van Dijk continued: “Nobody wants to lose four games in a row but it was the situation we faced.
“We had to stay calm and block out all the noise from the outside because that’s something you can’t control. 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. Was atmosphere lower than usual? Before my meeting yes, after my meeting everyone was happy!”
Slot made several bold choices for the encounter at the Deutsche Bank Park, with Mohamed Salah among those dropped to the bench. The Dutch coach switched to a 4-4-2 formation featuring Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak as the strike partnership whilst Florian Wirtz was given a starting berth on the right flank.
Whilst Isak was withdrawn at the interval with a groin injury that may jeopardise his availability for the Premier League fixture against Brentford on Saturday, Ekitike struck Liverpool’s leveller as Wirtz delivered his finest display since his £116million summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen by providing second-half assists for Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Regarding the tactical switch, Van Dijk commented: “It’s something we worked on in training since the weekend. We all know we have quality players who can adapt to different formations and operate in different roles.
“Frankfurt changed a bit their style of play by trying to play a bit like Man United did without a real striker, but we did well. We scored some really good goals.
“For Florian, the noise is always going to be there. When you play for Liverpool, it’s something you have to embrace. It’s part and parcel. He just has to take it and focus on what we think of him and what we want from him.”
Ekitike’s strike marked his sixth in 12 appearances since his £79m summer switch from Frankfurt. “It was a great ball from Robbo (Andy Robertson) and a great finish,” said Van Dijk.
“With the run he made, Hugo made it impossible for the defender. It came at an important time for us and I’m really happy for Hugo.”
Van Dijk bagged his second strike of the campaign with a towering header from a Gakpo corner, whilst centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate thundered home a similar effort from a Szoboszlai delivery moments later.
Slot has recently urged his squad to be more clinical from set-pieces, and Van Dijk said: “We just had to keep going and keep trying with them.
“We’ve come close many times from corners so far this season. Myself and Ibou were able to get our heads on the end of them and contribute for the team.”
Liverpool’s trip to Brentford this Saturday marks the third of seven crucial matches in a 22-day period, where they’ll face former captain Jordan Henderson and ex-Reds players Caomhin Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg.
“It’s always difficult there,” admitted Van Dijk. “This was an important win for us. We’ll take a lot of positives from it but Saturday is another big challenge. We need to recover physically and mentally, and be ready for a tough one.”