Liverpool captain warns defence must improve to protect title hopes | OneFootball

Van Dijk highlights defensive lapses after Wembley setback

Liverpool’s preparations for the new campaign suffered an early jolt as they fell short in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, losing on penalties after twice surrendering the lead at Wembley.

While the afternoon brought goals from recent arrivals, concerns emerged over the defensive solidity that once defined Liverpool’s title-winning campaigns. The performance reflected a recurring pattern from pre-season, where attacking flair has been offset by lapses at the back.

The Liverpool captain made no attempt to disguise his frustration, emphasising that defensive resilience will be vital if the club is to mount a serious Premier League challenge.

Pre-season patterns cause concern

In recent weeks, Liverpool have found themselves repeatedly vulnerable to opposition pressure. During their summer fixtures, Preston, Milan, Yokohama and Athletic Bilbao all found ways through, with only Stoke City failing to score.

Against Palace, a first-half penalty was conceded before the defence was again breached after a breakdown in the press allowed a direct run through the middle. The captain stressed that these moments were not isolated errors, but a sign that the defensive structure needs to be tightened.

“I’m not worried in the sense of panic,” he said, “because we’ve shown before how to defend well. But it’s clear we must get back to that level quickly if we want to compete at the top.”

Balancing intensity with control

Arne Slot’s early tenure has brought an emphasis on high pressing and attacking transitions, but the challenge lies in combining that approach with the kind of defensive discipline that underpinned Liverpool’s most successful seasons.

The captain acknowledged that the squad had enjoyed the intensity of the Wembley clash, and that building match sharpness was a priority, but insisted that defending starts from the front.

“You defend as a team and press as a team,” he said. “If it were as simple as tweaking one thing, we’d have fixed it by now. The work is collective, and that’s how we’ll get stronger.”

Title defence hinges on stability at the back

Liverpool’s success in previous seasons has been founded on a blend of attacking potency and defensive control. That equilibrium appears slightly off-balance at present, but the squad have shown in the past that they can recalibrate quickly.

The season opener offers an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that the lessons from pre-season have been absorbed. For a side with ambitions of defending their crown, minimising defensive vulnerabilities could be as important as maintaining their attacking output.