Van Dijk adamant Liverpool only have themselves to blame

Van Dijk and Slot Offer Different Verdicts After Liverpool’s Man City Setback

Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot cut contrasting figures following Liverpool’s narrow defeat to Manchester City, with the captain urging accountability while the head coach voiced frustration over key officiating decisions.

Liverpool fell 2-1 at Anfield in a high-intensity Premier League clash that carried major implications for the top-four race. Dominik Szoboszlai’s first-half free-kick had given the hosts early control, but goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland turned the contest in City’s favour.

The aftermath, however, centred less on the scoreline and more on interpretation — of refereeing, performance, and responsibility.

Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool Liverpool v Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Anfield,

Slot frustration over pivotal refereeing moments

Slot did not hide his irritation with several key decisions, most notably the failure to dismiss Marc Guehi for pulling Mohamed Salah back when the forward was clean through on goal.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Liverpool head coach said: “We can talk about the decisions. I would like to talk about the one time Mo was through on goal and Guehi holds his shirt. Everyone who has been in this stadium in the last eight years knows if Mo is in that position, it is a goal.”

Slot added: “So it is a denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”

The incident became a focal point of debate, particularly after VAR chose not to intervene. Slot also referenced a penalty appeal involving Matheus Nunes, suggesting Liverpool were unfortunate not to receive further protection from officials.

For Slot, these moments shaped the outcome of the match and compounded frustration at losing ground to a direct rival.

Van Dijk accepts responsibility despite controversy

Van Dijk, however, struck a notably different tone. Rather than dwelling on refereeing calls, the Liverpool captain placed the emphasis squarely on his own side’s performance.

“We have no influence on that,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports. “We only have ourselves to blame.”

Addressing the penalty appeal and late-game incidents, he added: “Nunes’ penalty, he could have given it, he went so fast. But we have to look at ourselves.”

The Dutch defender also questioned whether Liverpool had done enough collectively.

“I’m not sure if we made progress,” he said. “The second half maybe felt like a step up, but first half we were not in control and should have done better.”

Van Dijk’s comments reflected a leadership approach rooted in accountability rather than external grievance, reinforcing his role as a stabilising figure during a transitional period.

Tactical and emotional impact of City defeat

The defeat highlighted several ongoing challenges for Slot’s Liverpool project. While there were encouraging attacking moments, particularly in transition, City’s control of midfield phases exposed structural issues.

Liverpool struggled to sustain pressure after taking the lead and were repeatedly stretched by City’s movement between the lines. Erling Haaland’s presence forced deeper defensive positioning, reducing Liverpool’s ability to press aggressively.

Emotionally, the match also carried weight. The chaotic ending — including Szoboszlai’s late dismissal and a disallowed City goal — left Anfield deflated and frustrated.

Slot’s animated post-match demeanour contrasted sharply with Van Dijk’s measured response, underlining the different pressures faced by manager and captain at this stage of the season.

Top-four implications and Liverpool’s next challenge

The result leaves Liverpool facing an uphill battle in the race for Champions League qualification. With Manchester United and Chelsea both maintaining momentum, dropped points against direct rivals carry increased significance.

Van Dijk acknowledged the importance of moving on quickly.

“We have to turn our attention to Sunderland,” he said. “That will be a tough one. They are unbeaten at home this season. A good challenge ahead.”

For Slot, the focus now shifts towards refining consistency and maintaining belief during a demanding fixture schedule. While officiating frustrations may linger, Liverpool’s internal response will be more important in determining their season’s trajectory.

As highlighted by Liverpool.com’s coverage, this episode reflects a broader tension within the squad: balancing emotional reaction with professional responsibility.

Whether Liverpool align more closely with Slot’s sense of injustice or Van Dijk’s call for self-reflection may shape their final months.

What remains clear is that both voices carry weight — and how they converge could define the club’s immediate future.