"We should have won it": Van Dijk's statements after Liverpool's draw.

Virgil van Dijk's statements after Liverpool's draw

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed his disappointment after the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. Despite dominating most of the game and creating several chances, the Reds couldn’t capitalize and had to settle for a single point.

A game of two halves

The match started poorly for Arne Slot’s side, with Chris Wood putting Forest ahead just eight minutes in. However, Liverpool increased their pressure as the game progressed and equalized through a close-range goal by Diogo Jota, following a precise cross from Kostas Tsimikas.

“We should have won, especially considering our second-half performance. We created many chances against a team that doesn’t usually allow many. But that’s football; we should have done better,” Van Dijk said after the match.

The captain’s analysis of the opponent and tactical setup

When asked about the similarity to their previous game against Forest at Anfield, Van Dijk explained:

“At Anfield, they played with a line of four central midfielders in front of the defense, focusing on counterattacks. Today, they went with four forwards, which has worked well for them this season. We had a good game plan, and we executed it well, but the goal we conceded was because we lost an important battle, and they punished us immediately.”

The key: balancing attack and defense

Van Dijk emphasized the team’s effort to strike a balance between attacking and preventing the opponent’s counterattacks:

“We always made sure our defense was solid to minimize their strengths. Although they had some chances, we tracked back and defended together. What we lacked was finishing better to secure the win.”

Impact from the bench

The defender also praised the contributions of Jota and Tsimikas, who played a key role in the draw:

“It’s important for players coming off the bench to make an immediate impact, and that’s exactly what they did. Jota came on with energy and hunger for goals, and Kostas delivered a perfect corner for the equalizer. We need everyone in this final stretch of the season.”

The title race remains open

With this draw, Liverpool’s hopes in the title race remain alive, but the team knows they need to improve their finishing to secure three points in upcoming games.