Virgil van Dijk has taken accountability for the sequence of errors leading to Arsenal’s second goal in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. Despite a strong second-half comeback, a long ball to Gabriel Martinelli created an unexpected bounce that caught both Van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson off guard. The failure to clear the ball allowed Martinelli to score into an open net.
Van Dijk admitted his responsibility, stating, “I take full responsibility for that; that is a crucial moment in the game.” Despite Liverpool’s dominant second-half performance, the turning point affected the atmosphere. Van Dijk acknowledged the rarity of such incidents in his career but emphasized his commitment to recovering from it.
Highlighting the physical nature of football, he refrained from seeking excuses and recognized the divided decision in high-level competitions. Van Dijk acknowledged Alisson’s brief touch and inability to clear but stressed his responsibility for the situation.
Looking forward, he expressed determination to prevent a recurrence and acknowledged the challenging nature of playing at the Emirates for any team in the league.
