Despite a victory over Wolves that secured fourth place, Virgil van Dijk has called for urgent improvements to Liverpool’s set-piece defending while Arne Slot praised Jeremie Frimpong’s pace as a vital attacking asset.
Liverpool concluded 2025 with a narrow 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, courtesy of goals from Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch.
Despite moving into fourth place, captain Virgil van Dijk admitted that serious internal discussions have taken place regarding the team’s ongoing defensive fragilities.
The Reds’ vulnerability was exposed yet again when Wolves scored directly from a corner, highlighting a recurring struggle with game management and dead-ball situations that has left them 10 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Van Dijk dismissed suggestions that the issue is psychological but insisted the squad must take collective responsibility for their poor record.
“The fact is we’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough,” the defender noted. He emphasized that the “second phase” of defending is often where the team collapses, adding, “Each and every one of us has to take responsibility.
It’s always going to be on the players.” The captain stressed that only rigorous training can rectify these mistakes.
Manager Arne Slot chose to focus on the positives, specifically singling out summer signing Jeremie Frimpong for his game-changing speed.
Slot noted that while injuries to players like Alexander Isak have hindered the team, Frimpong’s recent assists against Tottenham and Wolves prove his value.
“Pace, that is what he has. And that is so important and crucial in modern day football,” Slot remarked. Liverpool now turn their attention to a New Year’s Day clash against an in-form Leeds United.