Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool to use the disappointment of their defeat to Fenerbahce as motivation and ensure it remains an outlier.
The Reds twice took the lead during Wednesday’s Champions League clash in Istanbul but were pegged back on both occasions before Vedat Muriqi scored a late winner in a 3-2 defeat.
The result ended Andoni Iraola’s side’s three-game winning run in the league phase. However, Liverpool had also conceded three goals in each of their previous victories over LASK and Villarreal.
“Everyone looked disappointed and they have a reason to be – they should be disappointed,” said Virgil van Dijk post-match.
“We cannot lose in the manner we did. But we did and it is down to Fenerbahce as well.
“I mentioned after the last game [against Arsenal] that we as a group have to go through good moments but also lesser-good moments.
“That will only form a bigger bond and it will be only beneficial. No-one wants to lose games, especially how we did, but it should only help us in the near future.
“We should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did. It’s definitely not sustainable.
“That’s why it’s a very disappointing night for many reasons, but definitely because of the goals we conceded and the manner we conceded them as well. There is work to do.
“Three set-pieces as well. We have been very good at them so far this season, but we switched off and weren’t ready for the first and second balls. It’s a tough one to take.”
Attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, where Liverpool will look to bounce back before the international break.
Van Dijk added: “It’s massive. When we are back in Liverpool, preparing and recovering physically and mentally, we will be looking forward.
“It is always tough at Palace and I don’t expect anything different.”
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