“This has never happened in my career” — Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool Centre-Back and captain, Virgil van Dijk has claimed responsibility for Reds’ defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates to leave the Merseyside club at the mercy of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table.

Speaking with Sky Sports after the game, the Netherlands international and Skipper, expressed guilt and remorse for the defeat, admitting his role in letting Arsenal through on goal.

Virgil van Dijk stated post-match;

“Eventually [it was] a very tough day, definitely. I think the 2-1 goal, I take full responsibility for that, but it’s a big turning point in the game.

“I should have done better, I should have made a better decision there. It hurts for me, and it hurts for the rest of the team. It was a big turning point in the game because I think especially after the break, we were so good.

Ruing a chance missed to take something out of the game, the Skipper continued;

“We had opportunities, we were dominant and I think the atmosphere started to become a little bit more nervous. Arsenal is a very good team and they will always try to stay in the game, but we were very dominant, especially in the second half.

“And then came the turning point. It’s my responsibility. I should just clear it, but I made the split-second wrong decision and unfortunately these things happen sometimes in football. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it hurts.

Virgil van Dijk vows to recover from the mishap, promising a change in their next game.

“These things haven’t happened too many times in my career but it’s a tough one. I will recover from this because I will learn from things that don’t go well, but I will take the responsibility.

“I’m not looking for excuses. At the highest level, it’s a split-second decision that you make. I chose to let the ball bounce and put my body in between. Alisson touched me a little and that’s why he couldn’t clear it.

“Things happen, and I take full responsibility for this. I will try to make sure these things don’t happen.” the Champions League winner said.

Virgil van Dijk’s error in defence may have cost Liverpool a chance in the premier league title race with the Reds now at the mercy of Manchester City and facing a top 4 fight instead of a title race.