'No chance of success' if Reds keep failing to build momentum - Van Dijk
[Getty Images] Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool have failed to build on a good performance "too many times" this season and "if it keeps happening then there is no chance of success. " The Reds impressed in the 4-0 midweek Champions League win over Galatasaray, but failed to sustain momentum and followed it up by suffering their 10th defeat of the Premier League season - their most since 2015-16 - against Brighton on Saturday. "I don't think it is the bravery," captain Van Dijk said post-match.
"When Hugo [Ekitike] comes off and you look at the team, there was not a lot of runs in behind. There is not a lot on that side. "That wasn't the issue why we lost but it changed a bit of our game.
When he made changes, the formation changed and the positions changed and then you're asking different things. "It's a combination of everything but the matter of fact is that we can't build on a good performance that we had midweek. It was a very quick turnaround but that is not an excuse of why we lost.
"It happened too many times and if it keeps happening then there is no chance of success. " Defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea this weekend have opened the door for a team to come out of left-field and challenge for a Champions League place , while Aston Villa having the chance to move four points clear of the Reds in fifth-place with a win over West Ham on Sunday. Van Dijk stressed form must improve if Arne Slot's side are to finish in the top five.
"If there is still a chance then I am always confident, but we have to do better, of course," he added. "And if we don't then it is going to be very difficult. Seven more games and tough ones as well, so things have to change for us to deserve that as well.