Liverpool captain refuses to concede title after City defeat leaves Reds eight points adrift
Virgil van Dijk has sent a clear message to Arsenal and Manchester City after Liverpool’s Premier League title defence suffered another major setback. The Liverpool captain urged his teammates to maintain belief and consistency following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The result leaves the defending champions eight points behind the league leaders as the competition heads into the international break.
Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku were all on the scoresheet for City, who dominated proceedings on what was Pep Guardiola’s one thousandth game as a manager. Haaland had earlier missed a penalty but responded emphatically by opening the scoring, setting the tone for a convincing home victory.
The defeat continued a troubling pattern for Liverpool away from home, marking their fourth consecutive league loss on the road. The Reds, who began the season with hopes of back-to-back titles, now face an uphill battle to stay within reach of the top two.
Adding to Liverpool’s frustration, Van Dijk saw a goal ruled out with the score at one-nil. The decision, which was described as controversial by several commentators, came at a pivotal moment before City doubled their advantage.
Speaking after the match, the Dutch defender acknowledged the disappointment but insisted that Liverpool remain determined to challenge for the title. “It is about finding consistency and carrying on,” Van Dijk told reporters. “Now we go to our countries, stay fit and be ready for a big run after. We are not going to give up whatsoever. We are in November, and we are ready for a long season and a big fight.”
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The Liverpool captain’s words were intended to rally his squad as they prepare for a demanding winter schedule that could define their campaign. Jürgen Klopp’s side have shown strong home form this season, but have struggled to convert that momentum into points on their travels.
Manchester City, meanwhile, celebrated the milestone victory for Guardiola with renewed confidence. The win closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to four points, following the Gunners’ draw with Sunderland earlier in the weekend. City’s performance was comprehensive, combining attacking precision with defensive control, leaving little room for Liverpool to recover.
For Van Dijk and his teammates, the focus now shifts to regaining rhythm and consistency. Injuries and fixture congestion have posed challenges, but the defender’s message was one of unity and persistence. “We need to make sure we are ready for what is coming,” he said. “The only way forward is to keep working and believing.”
Liverpool’s recent form has drawn mixed reactions from analysts, with some questioning their resilience under pressure. Others have pointed to fatigue and squad depth as contributing factors in the dip in results. Yet the determination expressed by Van Dijk reflects the mentality that has defined Liverpool under Klopp’s tenure.
Despite the recent setbacks, Liverpool remains within touching distance of the top three, with several months left in the campaign. Their next fixtures after the international break will offer a crucial opportunity to close the gap on their rivals.
As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side retain the lead heading into the break, but with Manchester City resurgent and Liverpool vowing not to fade, the title race remains open. For Van Dijk, the message was simple: the champions have not surrendered their crown just yet.