Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits the shock house defeat to Nottingham Forest ought to function a actuality examine for a group which has aspirations to problem for the title.
Whereas the bar for Arne Slot’s first season in cost was set at Champions League qualification following the wholesale adjustments over the summer season, opening the marketing campaign with three wins and no objectives conceded raised expectations.
Nevertheless, these have been punctured by a deflating 1-0 defeat – Forest’s first at Anfield since 1969 – and Van Dijk mentioned that ought to function a reminder of the excessive requirements which have to be met.
“Total it was a disappointing afternoon, one thing we didn’t wish to occur,” mentioned the Netherlands worldwide.
“However now we have to show this round and make this form of a actuality examine to be higher for the remainder of the season, as a result of if you wish to obtain issues the distinction between the video games we performed is just too huge.
“We all know how direct they’re so enjoying towards a giant striker you may typically lose a problem and you need to be prepared for the second ball and each time there was a second ball they have been on the fitting aspect of it.
“They acquired momentum by way of successful the fitting challenges they usually did they job very nicely and by way of ourselves we weren’t adequate.
“That’s the disappointing a part of it.”
A disjointed show created its personal issues for Liverpool after which when Callum Hudson-Odoi got here off the bench to attain the primary aim conceded by Slot’s aspect this season within the 72nd minute there was no late rally from the hosts.
That was in distinction to a number of the last-minute heroics seen below predecessor Jurgen Klopp however Van Dijk denied the extra measured method of his compatriot didn’t make it troublesome to go up a gear when it was needed.
“We nonetheless tried however I believe we have been too rushed, we put the ball within the field a bit too fast or overplayed it and you then don’t get the momentum you wish to get,” added Van Dijk, who additionally rejected the suggestion the worldwide break had interrupted their rhythm.
“It’s troublesome for me to say. Everyone seems to be getting back from completely different locations and enjoying a distinct approach however nonetheless I believe once we weren’t at our greatest, we created possibilities and it ought to have gone higher.
“However it’s a efficiency we’re undoubtedly not proud of, we count on so much higher from ourselves and dropping at house is one thing that may’t occur.
“We’ve to show it round fairly shortly and that would be the focus.”
AC Milan up subsequent
Liverpool have a fast alternative to place issues proper as they head to Italy to face AC Milan within the Champions League on Tuesday.
“Clearly everyone seems to be disillusioned however we additionally remind ourselves that Tuesday is one other huge sport,” he mentioned.
“If you wish to dwell on issues it’s only going to backfire on your self.”
Though Liverpool have didn’t put collectively what might be classed as full performances of their three earlier victories they’ve had a minimum of had a dominant 45 minutes in every.
Nevertheless, there was none of that towards Forest with passes frequently going astray and gamers seemingly on completely different wavelengths.
The closest they got here to scoring was when Luis Diaz each hit the put up and in addition noticed goalkeeper Matz Sels virtually fumble his header over the road within the first half.
Forest’s alternatives have been few and much between with their 31 per cent possession however having saved their opponents at arm’s size Hudson-Odoi struck the decisive blow.
