Virgil van Dijk analyzes the Anfield defeat: Although there was some improvement in the second half, the penalty changed everything.
2026-02-09 02:47
In a key Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool took the lead but ultimately lost 1-2 to Manchester City.
After the match, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gave a media interview, providing a calm and candid review of the team's performance.
Regarding the course of the match, Van Dijk frankly stated that the team's performance in the first half was poor. Van Dijk said, "Manchester City were too comfortable in possession in the first half. We tried to play more directly, but the effect was not ideal."
"In the second half, we regained our form, becoming more dominant in possession and scoring a world-class free kick."
However, Liverpool's lead did not translate into a favorable outcome. Van Dijk believes that the game entered a heated phase after Manchester City equalized.
Van Dijk said: "After 1-1, both sides were fighting for the win. But in those close moments, Haaland's penalty became the deciding factor in the game, and that's the harsh reality."
When asked whether this match marked an improvement in the team's performance, Van Dijk appeared relatively cautious. He emphasized that the team is still in the process of adjustment and integration.
"I'm not sure if I can say that the overall level has made a qualitative leap, but it is definitely a process. The feeling in the second half was like a step up," Van Dijk summarized. Although the adjustments in the second half improved the situation at one point, in top-level competition, a penalty kick can often define the outcome of the entire game.
Image source: Internet/Sky Sports official website
