Liverpool's defensive errors 'not sustainable', says Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk insisted Liverpool's defence must improve, saying the errors they made in their Champions League defeat to Fenerbahce are "not sustainable". 

Liverpool were beaten 3-2 at the Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi, despite taking the lead twice on Tuesday. 

Trey Nyoni's 25th-minute opener was swiftly cancelled out by Mason Greenwood, whose free-kick deflected in off Jeremy Jacquet after turning away from the ball in the wall. 

Alexander Isak restored Liverpool's advantage three minutes after replacing Victor Munoz, but Fenerbahce responded once again when confusion from a set-piece saw Cody Gakpo flick the ball to the back post for Archie Brown to tuck home. 

Fenerbahce completed the comeback in the 79th minute through Vedat Muriqi, who met Brown's looping cross with a towering header, despite being outnumbered by Jacquet, Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister inside the penalty area. 

The result saw Liverpool concede three goals from set pieces in a Champions League game for just the second time, along with their 3-3 draw with Sevilla in November 2017, though against Fenerbahce was the first time ever they have let in three non-penalty set-piece goals in one game.

Liverpool have also conceded 10 goals in four Champions League games this season, shipping three goals in each of their last three (6-3 vs LASK, 4-3 vs Villarreal, 2-3 vs Fenerbahce), the first time they have ever conceded 3+ goals in three major European games in a row.

"It's definitely not sustainable," said Van Dijk said of Liverpool's defensive woes. 

"That's why it's very disappointing 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."

The defeat to Fenerbahce was only the third time in Liverpool's major European history they took the lead twice in a game and then lost, along with a 4-2 defeat to Roma in May 2018 and 3-2 defeat to PSV in January 2025.

And having gone ahead in the 69th minute, it was the latest Liverpool have ever taken the lead in a major European match and then lost.

Liverpool's defeat comes after they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the Premier League, having won each of their last five matches across all competitions beforehand. 

Andoni Iraola's side make the trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Sunday, though Van Dijk believes their midweek experience will only be beneficial for the Liverpool players as they look to sign off for the international break with a positive result. 

"I mentioned after the last game [against Arsenal] that we as a group have to go through good moments but also less good moments," Van Dijk added.

"That will only form a bigger bond and it will only be beneficial. No-one wants to lose games, especially as we did, but it should only help us in the near future.

"We should not accept losing, especially in the manner we did."