Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool must respond against Paris Saint-Germain after letting their supporters and head coach Arne Slot down in Saturdayâs 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.
The Netherlands defender said he was âhurtingâ after Slotâs side capitulated at the Etihad, conceding four goals in the space of 20 minutes either side of the break.
âWe let ourselves down and the manager down, but we also let our fans down today,â Van Dijk told reporters post-match.
âThe way we played, especially in the second half, that must hurt for everyone. It definitely hurts me. Mentally, itâs very tough at the moment. Mentally, it has been a very tough season overall.â
Van Dijk said conceding goals either side of half-time was a âkillerâ, and added: âThe fans were there to support us and I can only apologise to them for what we have shown, especially in the second half. I understand the fansâ frustration.â
It was the worst possible preparation for Wednesdayâs Champions League quarter-final first leg away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
âI watched them yesterday a bit (PSG beat Toulouse 3-1) and it will be so tough again,â Van Dijk said. âBut we have a responsibility, not only to ourselves but especially to the fans.
âIf we want to make something out of this season, we have to try and do something special in these games.â
Saturdayâs defeat cranked up the pressure on Slot, who has now overseen 15 defeats in all competitions this season. However, Van Dijk insists the players have to look at themselves.
âObviously, heâs responsible as the manager, but we are the ones on the pitch that have to do it,â he said.
âThe quality is there. Iâve been lucky enough to play for Liverpool for so many years and the main thing always was the togetherness.
âNow, obviously, we are in a little bit of a transition so we have to find it. Itâs difficult to then perform every three days if we donât have it (the togetherness) consistently.â
The Netherlands defender said he was âhurtingâ after Slotâs side capitulated at the Etihad, conceding four goals in the space of 20 minutes either side of the break.
âWe let ourselves down and the manager down, but we also let our fans down today,â Van Dijk told reporters post-match.
âThe way we played, especially in the second half, that must hurt for everyone. It definitely hurts me. Mentally, itâs very tough at the moment. Mentally, it has been a very tough season overall.â
Van Dijk said conceding goals either side of half-time was a âkillerâ, and added: âThe fans were there to support us and I can only apologise to them for what we have shown, especially in the second half. I understand the fansâ frustration.â
It was the worst possible preparation for Wednesdayâs Champions League quarter-final first leg away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
âI watched them yesterday a bit (PSG beat Toulouse 3-1) and it will be so tough again,â Van Dijk said. âBut we have a responsibility, not only to ourselves but especially to the fans.
âIf we want to make something out of this season, we have to try and do something special in these games.â
Saturdayâs defeat cranked up the pressure on Slot, who has now overseen 15 defeats in all competitions this season. However, Van Dijk insists the players have to look at themselves.
âObviously, heâs responsible as the manager, but we are the ones on the pitch that have to do it,â he said.
âThe quality is there. Iâve been lucky enough to play for Liverpool for so many years and the main thing always was the togetherness.
âNow, obviously, we are in a little bit of a transition so we have to find it. Itâs difficult to then perform every three days if we donât have it (the togetherness) consistently.â
