Virgil van Dijk reveals how players’ meeting sparked Liverpool’s reaction after Manchester United defeat – ‘There was a proper debriefing’

Manager Arne Slott has made important changes to both personnel and formation in Germany, including the removal of Mohamed Salah, and Van Dijk believes the team’s frank discussions earlier this week played a key role in the result.

“Everyone was sad because we lost at home to Man United on Monday,” Van Dijk said. “While I was at Liverpool, we didn’t lose too many games at home.

“We met on Monday because the situation was difficult, but it was not a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We are only in October.

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“Nobody wants to lose four games in a row, but that was the situation we faced. We had to stay calm and block out all the noise from outside, because it’s something you can’t control.”

“The only way out of a situation like that is to stay together, focus on the job ahead, try to improve, stay confident and embrace the moment.

“All of those things are easier said than done, but if you want to get out of there, you have to do it.

“We live in a world now where there’s always noise. There’s always something to say and there’s always someone better. We have to stay focused on ourselves.”

Van Dijk said the atmosphere in the dressing room had become noticeably brighter after the meeting.

“It was true (the atmosphere was depressed) before we met, but after we met, everyone was happy,” he said.

“I had a proper debriefing with the coach, but I also had a separate debriefing as a player. There were some things I wanted to say… It’s not something you do after every game. Let’s leave it at that.”

Slots are sweating due to injuries to the main duo

Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Jeremy Frimpong are expected to miss their Premier League game against Brentford after sustaining groin and hamstring injuries respectively in Germany.

The club is awaiting further updates on the status of both players.

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Reds manager Slott confirmed that Isak was absent from the game against Frankfurt due to injury. “Alexander had a bit of a groin injury so he had to leave at half-time, which is unfortunate,” he told TNT Sports.

“I have said many times that it is very difficult to find a balance with a player who has been out for three months.

“When you go slow with him, people talk about playing him longer. We’re playing him now for the second time in three days and unfortunately he had to go.

“Let’s hope for the best, but it’s not easy to find balance when players are out for such a long time.”

In a subsequent press conference, Slott added: “Today, with Alex and Hugo, we brought on the pitch two players who normally can score. Alex came close a few times but had to be sent off at half-time.”

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“Normally you try to prepare the players for one game of football a week, but in Liverpool’s case they play every three days or normally they play three times in eight days, but this season unfortunately they have to play three times in seven days.

“We tried to prepare him for it and took great care of him, but when he came back from the national team before the game against United he was a perfect fit.

“I thought he was well prepared for that, but the margin at the top is small. I hope it won’t be too bad because if he’s out for a few weeks, he’ll be back. So let’s wait.”