Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has reflected on the team's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, describing the outcome as a very difficult one for the Reds.
Liverpool had competed relatively evenly with City during the first half, with neither side creating a clear advantage in a match that remained goalless at the interval.
The game changed in the 62nd minute when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for a second yellow card. City capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Erling Haaland and Jérémy Doku scoring in quick succession before Rayan Cherki added a third.
Speaking after the match, Van Dijk said Liverpool had shown intensity and a desire to win during the first half. However, he acknowledged that the dismissal and the goals conceded soon afterwards made the contest increasingly difficult.
“There was a lot of good things in the first half but the fact is we lost it 3-0 and that hurts and we have to quickly turn this frustration and disappointment back to full focus.”
“I think it was an even game up until the red card. The early goal after the red card changed the whole game – that's just the fact.”
The captain also discussed the consistency of refereeing decisions, while recognising that Gravenberch's second yellow card meant Liverpool had to continue with 10 players.
The defeat marked Liverpool's first loss of the 2026–27 season. The result leaves the team with questions to address ahead of their next league fixture against Brentford.
Liverpool will now look to respond on the pitch, with Van Dijk and the other senior players expected to help the team regain its focus.
On the Reds' next match against LASK, he added: “The Champions League away at LASK, people might think is an easy one – it isn't. We have to focus quickly, recover and be back on it.”