Liverpool Stars Clash: Slot and Van Dijk Split Over What's Behind Reds' Shocking Stumble
Head coach Arne Slot attributed Liverpool's sequence of three consecutive losses to "fine margins" while skipper Virgil van Dijk indicated that it was understandable for the Reds to face difficulties considering "what has transpired away from" the field.
An injury-time winner from Estêvão sealed Liverpool's 2–1 loss at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, marking the first occasion the defending Premier League titleholders had suffered more than two successive defeats under Slot's management.
Liverpool had been caught out by another late strike away at Crystal Palace the previous weekend before falling 1–0 to Galatasaray in Champions League action during the week.
Following a Community Shield penalty shootout defeat to kick off the new campaign, Slot's team had recorded seven consecutive victories before this current slump. Nevertheless, six of those triumphs came by single-goal differences and as many within the organization were willing to acknowledge, Liverpool rarely appeared at their peak during those matches. Slot maintained that this recent stumble has no significant deeper reason.
"Previous season we were beaten by Chelsea too," the Dutch manager reminded Sky Sports. "Stamford Bridge is consistently challenging. We came very close to getting a result. Fine margins. As I mentioned at Galatasaray, we had a one-on-one situation then they receive a spot kick. We concede in additional, additional time versus Palace. And then today they net a goal that could have gone either way.
"Following our 1–1 equalizer it shifted in our direction and I believe I was anticipating us to find the second. Decision-making could have been superior, final 10–15 minutes was back-and-forth. We reached their penalty area with [Andy] Robertson, we couldn't manage the ball but once more it's tight margins like it has been for the duration I've been here.
"Previous week, identical to this week two challenging away fixtures, the tight margins haven't favored us."
Liverpool haven't precisely been assisting themselves in securing the advantage of those intangible factors. Despite investing a record-breaking amount on a revamped attacking line, the Reds have occasionally lacked smoothness in their forward play. Defensive concerns have been more troubling—newly promoted Sunderland have allowed three fewer goals than the Merseysiders while this perpetually troubled version of Manchester United have faced fewer attempts than Liverpool.
The Pressure of Liverpool's Heartbreaking Summer
Instead of anything as mundane as Mohamed Salah's positional duties or Florian Wirtz's difficulties, Van Dijk highlighted the obvious issue regarding the psychological burden placed upon Liverpool this season. "It was always destined to be a challenging campaign," the captain stated. "It's not solely due to what occurs on the field, but also due to what has transpired away from it."
Pre-season was permanently affected by the heartbreaking death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. The loss of a cherished team member occurred just months after the club's championship festivities had been disrupted by a vehicle colliding with a group of supporters during the Premier League trophy celebration. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Given this backdrop, Liverpool's impressive beginning to the season deserves praise rather than focusing on the recent decline in performance. However, as always, Van Dijk has his focus on swift recovery.
"We must navigate through this together," the defender observed. "Not just us as players but the coaching staff and our supporters who rejoiced with us as champions, which is something we must remember.
"The previous week has been difficult but we can reverse this situation. It falls to us to discover consistency. So much commotion is happening and you must handle that as well. It falls to us to continue working, secure results, remain united, and regain confidence.
"Last season, everything was encouraging and everyone was content. Now we experience a setback, if you wish to label it that, and we need everyone more than ever to back us and stand by us. Now everyone departs for international assignments but when we return, we face a crucial match against Manchester United, which I am already eagerly anticipating."