Virgil van Dijk says that Liverpool’s “unacceptable” performance against Nottingham Forest must be corrected when they return to the Champions League this week.
Arne Slot suffered his first defeat as Reds manager on Sunday when Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game at Anfield to give the east Midlands outfit their first win at the ground in 55 years.
Liverpool travel to Italy on Tuesday for a meeting with AC Milan, the first of eight group stage matches in the competition’s new format.
Van Dijk is under no illusion about the amount work he and his teammates will have to put in to avoid a repeat of the past weekend’s defeat.
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“Keep going, keep working and make sure the performances don’t go in that direction,” the club captain said in his pre-match press conference.
“We all know how the atmosphere can change but that is also part of the influence from outside which could affect you.
“We have a very good group that really understood that Saturday was unacceptable and are disappointed. We all know everyone can do better and we have to show that on Tuesday. That is what we focus on. We have been through losses and difficult moments together. We will stay calm.
“We need the whole squad in the best shape and the best form as it’s a game every three days now. When you go home, the recovery starts — treatment, ice bath, sauna and swimming pool in order to do everything possible to be ready for Tuesday. It’s on and on so that’s the sacrifice we make.
“I am definitely looking forward to Tuesday. We are much better than we showed against Forest.”
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