Van Dijk was gutted with the defeat (Picture: Getty)

Virgil van Dijk has admitted Liverpool’s ‘mentality’ should have been much stronger during their defeat to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Liverpool were on their way to the next round of the Champions League before Atletico staged a stunning comeback and beat the Reds 3-2 after extra-time at Anfield.

Van Dijk’s side were undone by their own errors and the centre-back suggested Liverpool didn’t get their attitude right during the crucial game.

‘Of course, we are disappointed because we have been eliminated. Based on the first 95 minutes, we deserved to continue,’ Van Dijk told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.




‘Then they score the goal they need. That is a heavy blow. But it happens. We have to move on.

‘We were dominant, created many opportunities. (Atletico goalkeeper Jan) Oblak was great, of course. But you also have to be able to deal with that.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

‘We prepared very well, analysed Atletico, watched their matches. We also looked at the things that were wrong from the first leg.

‘Ultimately it is about the match and the mentality that you put in the match. That had to be much better.’

Goalkeeper Adrian faced criticism for his performance after the stopper gifted Atletico a route back into the game in the 97th minute.

Georginio Wijnaldum’s header in normal time had forced extra-time before Roberto Firmino’s goal made it 2-0 – a result which would have seen Liverpool win the tie.

Liverpool fans raged with Adrian’s costly mistake which sparked a sudden collapse from the defending champions.

Asked for his reaction to Adrian’s error, Van Dijk said: ‘We lose together, we win together. Such things simply happen.

Liverpool were the defending champions (Picture: Reuters)

‘I think it was a fantastic match to watch. Very intense, everything happened.

‘You want to stay in the Champions League. Nobody wants to lose, but there are also things in life that are much more important. Losing is ultimately just losing.’

Liverpool have endured a dismal few weeks after crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League, but are still on course to win their first ever Premier League title.

MORE: Virgil van Dijk reveals how Liverpool players reacted in dressing room after Atletico Madrid defeat

MORE: Adrian ‘sad and disappointed’ after Liverpool dumped out of Champions League by Atletico Madrid

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.