-Credit:Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has welcomed the tactical change from Arne Slot that saw him hold together the Reds’ defense against Nottingham Forest, with Ibrahima Konate replaced by goalscorer Diogo Jota in the second half.
Holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch played a hybrid center-back and number six role similar to what Wataru Endo has done in recent weeks, filling in at the back when required and getting another attacking body on the field for Liverpool. And while Van Dijk is left with a lot to do at times, he doesn’t see it as a gamble.
“It is a part of the game,” Van Dijk told reporters including from Liverpool.com post-match at the City Ground. “We try to force the equalizer and then the winner. They sat back from the start anyway so there will be times that we are going to be 1v1 all over the pitch.
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“Ryan [Gravenberch] was there anyway in certain moments and when I have to step up, I will try my best as well. I don’t feel like it was sacrificing. If you look at how they play in the end, they are very compact with Chris Wood up top — basically a bit of a 4-5-1.
“So you could take the risk, if you want to call it a risk, if the press is good and you are reading the game well then you shouldn’t be in many problems. In the second half, we tried everything and fought until the very last second. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
Liverpool is yet to win in the Premier League in 2025, drawing with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, while it also lost 1-0 to Spurs in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in North London. But still six points clear at the Premier League’s summit, Van Dijk is unconcerned.
“Oh, so are we in crisis now?” he joked when asked about the blip. “It only confirms that the Premier League is a tough league where you play against opponents that are very good.
Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool reacts after the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest -Credit:Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
“Today was always going to be tough — same as Man Utd at home with a new manager and their game plan. Every game is tough and we have to find a way to win. If we keep pushing and finding opportunities, I am very confident that we will score goals like we have been doing all season.”
Liverpool has conceded the first goal of the game in five of its last seven matches in the Premier League, which is a pattern that needs to be reversed. But Van Dijk also sees the positives in that none of those games have been lost.
“It shows resilience. No one wants to come from behind so we are working on that and we need everyone in the best shape to prevent them. The only thing we can do is try and do it better in the next game. That’s the only way forward.
“I don’t think anyone should not feel confident at the moment. We have been outstanding throughout the whole season with everything we have been doing. In games, sometimes things don’t always go your way. That is part of life and part of being a football player.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool. -Credit:Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
“You can’t be perfect all the time but the hard work we put in so far should give us the confidence to show who we are. That is how I see it and we try to ensure everyone is thinking like that. So far this season, it has been going well. A draw [at Forest] and a draw against United maybe doesn’t feel great, but we have another opportunity on Saturday.”
Nottingham Forest has taken four points from its two matches with Liverpool this season, conceding only once. And Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are sitting six points off top spot as a result.
“I don’t know,” Van Dijk said when asked if the East Midlands outfit is a true contender in the title race. “The last games, they have been very consistent in the way they defend — very compact.
“They have players who can hurt you on the break and they keep clean sheets, which is very important. They are doing a very good job and let’s see what happens. There are so many games to go and they don’t play in Europe, so that gives them maybe a little extra rest.
“But it is all about the next game, and it is only a big credit to how they are performing so far, with their fans behind them. They make a fantastic atmosphere and we still managed to do very well in the second half.”