If Virgil van Dijk's latest post-match reaction wasn't the first time he had fronted up in the 2022/23 campaign, it was at least the Liverpool defender's last.
As ever, it was a searing and unflinching appraisal from a player who sees it as his responsibility to give his verdicts in the immediate aftermath of unfavourable results.
Van Dijk:
“We are building something, but how we allow ourselves to be trumped, that should not happen to us and is very disappointing
"In the second half we took risks and things went better at times, but the first half is of course never allowed. It just wasn’t good enough. We should definitely look at this, especially in view of the important matches that are coming up.
“You also play for the honour and we are ashamed of how we played in the first half. We all need to take a very good look in the mirror. Things have to be very different in the next period, let’s focus on that.
“It took us two years to fine-tune a system, just like we have to do now. These matches should also be seen as a learning opportunity, but we must take big steps and take our responsibility”.
Van Dijk is almost certain to see his standing officially recognised with the vice-captaincy for next season.
With club skipper Jordan Henderson facing more competition from the expected arrival of more midfielders for next season, Van Dijk may find himself in possession of the armband more than ever at Anfield going forward. It will be an opportunity he will no doubt relish.
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