Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted Liverpool’s recurring struggles from set-pieces are costing the team. This issue resurfaced again during Saturday’s 2–1 Premier League win over Wolves at Anfield. These were crucial matches for both the Liverpool team and Virgil van Dijk, especially against Wolves, highlighting the importance of these games.
They were without Mohamed Salah but managed a win with a strong team performance.
The Reds looked on course for a comfortable afternoon. First-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz put Arne Slot’s side firmly in control. However, shortly after the restart, Wolves defender Santiago Bueno scored from a corner. This set up a tense second half. Playing against a competitive team like Wolves challenges players like Virgil van Dijk to showcase their defensive prowess, especially in Liverpool matches against Wolves.
Although Liverpool ultimately held on for victory, the manner of the goal once again highlighted a problem. It continues to undermine otherwise solid performances. Virgil van Dijk knows the match against Wolves was a critical demonstration of Liverpool’s vulnerability at set-pieces.
Despite Wolves having scored just once from a set-piece before Saturday, Liverpool failed to deal with the danger following a corner. Alisson Becker saved Tolu Arokodare’s initial header, but Bueno reacted quickest to the rebound. This outcome highlights the defence's challenges faced by Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool against Wolves, in critical match situations.
As a result, Liverpool have now conceded more goals from set-pieces than any other Premier League side this season. Their set-piece goal difference stands at minus nine, the worst in the division.
Reflecting on the issue, Van Dijk said:
“There have been plenty of games when we have defended them very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough.
“It’s about repetition, training, analysing… it’s something we have to improve. I’d say at least 75% of the time or even more, it’s not even about the first contact, it’s the second phase that is the killer.”
While acknowledging the statistics, Van Dijk dismissed the suggestion that Liverpool have developed a psychological issue when defending dead-ball situations. Virgil van Dijk Liverpool Wolves encounters continue to add pressure on him to resolve set-piece issues and improve team defence.
“Is it a mental thing? I hope not. If that’s in your head then it’s an issue. Personally, it’s not in my head.
“We have defended so many set-pieces very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many goals like that and it hurts. We have to improve that. Training is the only way to get better at it.”
Furthermore, the Liverpool captain insisted that responsibility lies firmly with the players.
“Each and every one of us has to take responsibility. It’s always going to be on the players. We can speak about how we defend and how we attack, but at the end of the day it’s about what the players put in.
“It’s not been good enough. We all realise that. We have spoken about that. We need to turn it around. That’s why we work on it almost every training session.”
In addition to set-piece concerns, Van Dijk also expressed frustration. Liverpool’s inability to fully control the game in the second half allowed Wolves belief they could force an equaliser, pushing Virgil van Dijk Liverpool Wolves matches to test the team's resolve.
“It’s something we have to improve. It’s about training and using our experiences to get better at dealing with situations like Saturday.
“We will analyse and speak about it. I know it sounds easy but it’s a difficult thing to do. It’s a process and we have to keep trying to do it. If it was easy then we would have sorted it already.”
Notably, this was the second successive league match in which Liverpool conceded from a corner. They still managed to secure all three points, following a similar pattern against Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool’s third consecutive league win has lifted them into the top four for the first time since early November. Nevertheless, Van Dijk stressed that the league table is not the priority at this stage of the season.
“There’s no point looking at the table in December. We just need to try to find consistency and wins. There are plenty of games to play.”
With Leeds United, Fulham and Arsenal coming up, followed by FA Cup and Champions League commitments, Van Dijk believes the challenge ahead should be embraced wholeheartedly, as Liverpool prepares for upcoming matches.
“It’s an exciting challenge with so many games coming up. Let’s embrace it and enjoy it.”
