Virgil van Dijk admits that Liverpool have work to do after the Bayern Munich defeat
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits that there is some work to be done ahead of the start of the season after the 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich.
In the last game of their Singapore pre-season tour, the Reds faced their toughest opponent so far this summer. They twice took a two-goal lead through goals from Cody Gakpo, van Dijk and Luis Diaz but conceded four at the other end.
It is now 10 goals shipped in by Jurgen Klopp’s team in four pre-season games. Although these stats don’t count when the actual season starts, it does give us an idea of how weak Liverpool look at the back and in defensive midfield.
Talking about that, here’s what captain van Dijk has had to say (quoted by BBC):
“[There’s] so many good things and things we have to improve.
“They [Bayern] are a very good opponent and they punish you if you are not on it for a split second – that is what happened today.
“[There’s] still work to do – and that is what we are going to do.”
Most of the players in the squad have been together for almost three weeks now. After facing three mediocre teams (with all due respect), the real test was always about to come against the pace and power of Bayern attackers.
They did not pass the test but there is still time to work on defensive aspects of the game ahead of the opening league game against Chelsea on August 13.
The positive is that the attack looks good. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Gakpo and Diaz have all scored and assisted goals in the pre-season games.
Unless the defensive shape gets sorted, we might have to rely on the attackers to score a lot of goals to win games of football. That of course is not the ideal way when the target is to do well in the league and possibly challenge for the title (which looks unlikely).
More Liverpool News
- Liverpool linked with a move for Franck Kessie as Barcelona exit looms
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bids adieu to Fabinho as he secures a move to Al Ittihad
- Virgil van Dijk named new Liverpool captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold vice-captain
Liverpool must sign a defensive midfielder and a centre-back soon. There are 28 days remaining in this transfer window. Let’s hope the club isn’t waiting for the deadline to approach.
