West Ham star admits Virgil van Dijk plan failed miserably in Liverpool defeat

West Ham star admits Virgil van Dijk plan failed miserably in Liverpool defeat

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has conceded that the team’s strategy to contain Virgil van Dijk fell apart during their Premier League defeat to Liverpool F.C. at Anfield.

Liverpool made the most of their set-pieces on Saturday, punishing West Ham from dead-ball situations.

After Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring early with a composed finish, Van Dijk doubled the advantage midway through the first half.

The Dutch defender rose highest to meet a corner delivered by Dominik Szoboszlai, powering in a header despite heavy traffic inside the box. Alexis Mac Allister added a third goal before halftime to cap a dominant opening 45 minutes for the hosts.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Fernandes admitted West Ham had prepared specifically to neutralize Van Dijk’s aerial threat but could not execute their plan effectively.

“Three set-pieces,” he said. “We worked on Van Dijk all week. We tried our best, but that’s football. We have another game coming and we need to win it.

“We’re improving week by week. We believe in the quality of the squad and the manager. Now we must focus on the next match — rest well, eat well, and prepare properly.”

The result leaves West Ham still in the relegation zone, behind Nottingham Forest, while Liverpool climb to fourth place in the table, level on points with Manchester United F.C., who face Crystal Palace F.C. next.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expressed satisfaction with his side’s efficiency from set-pieces, acknowledging that such moments proved decisive.

“That’s very pleasing,” Slot said. “Firstly because it’s why we won, and secondly because although people said we played well, I think we’ve performed better in other matches this season.

“We were OK to good — not at our very best. There have been games we’ve played better and still lost, and others where we conceded from set-pieces.

“Earlier in the season we created plenty from set-pieces but conceded too easily. Today it was the opposite.

Now we’re scoring from them, and that makes everything look brighter. It’s great for the team and the fans.”
Liverpool next face Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in league action, before meeting them again in the FA Cup.

They will also take on Galatasaray S.K. in the Champions League, followed by a Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur F.C..