Virgil Van Dijk: “No Reason to Panic”

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The Liverpool defender says his side are undeterred by Napoli loss.

I want Liverpool to be invincible everywhere but that’s a tall order when luck is factor. The loss to Napoli on Tuesday night stings because Liverpool weren’t beaten to the tune of 2-0 by a superior Italian side. What chances went Napoli’s way were dealt with throughout the match. Adrián had seen to his goal’s protection very impressively. Liverpool tried and tried at the other end but the match points seemed destined to be split.

Then the dubious penalty and then the mix-up from Virgil Van Dijk and the next thing you knew Liverpool were going home with nothing.

A lot of fan fury has been directed towards a select few players for their roles in the team’s breakdowns on the pitch. Questions are being asked about how Liverpool are going to respond in the wake of the club’s first loss since May. But Van Dijk describes a team that is unfazed by the pressure and speculation.

“It didn’t feel like a wake-up call,” said Van Dijk. “I think both sides were focused fully on the game.

“It felt like it was going to be a draw, and then the penalty changed everything in the game. It shouldn’t be a wake-up call. We have been performing since the start of the season outstanding, and so there is no reason to panic.

Liverpool are still sitting top of the Premier League table. They have won the first five matches of the season. Five points above second place Manchester City and a superior goal differential of 11.

Jürgen Klopp’s side were not altogether convincing during last season’s group stage either. Nothing is settled by the loss to Napoli and as Van Dijk explains, the team will continue on as it has been. No reason to panic.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com