Virgil van Dijk blames 'miscommunication' for Brighton leveller

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk explained that a "miscommunication" led to the goal which gifted Brighton and Hove Albion the equaliser in Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Amex.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk levelled the scores with 15 minutes left to go after Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson allowed Solly March's free-kick to go across goal, having pulled out of the interception.

"I think Robbo heard a shout and he thought it was Alisson," Van Dijk told Sky Sports. "It’s a miscommunication and shouldn’t happen."

"But nobody wants to make mistakes. Unfortunately, this was a miscommunication that cost us a goal."

A "risky" pass

However, the Scotland captain is not the only Liverpool player receiving criticism today for their role in gifting Brighton a goal.

Roberto De Zerbi's side took the lead in the 20th minute after Alexis Mac Allister was robbed of possession in a dangerous area by Simon Adingra whose shot caught out a hapless Alisson from distance.

However, Van Dijk also accepted some of the blame for this goal: "It’s not only [Mac Allister losing the ball], it’s me as well, it’s a risky ball."

"But obviously we try to play out from the back and, unfortunately, these things could happen in football and you get punished immediately. That's how it is at the highest level."

"The way we bounced back was a great reaction and that was very positive."

Salah vital again

That said, overall, the captain was disappointed that his side couldn't capitalise on having taken the lead just before the break.

Mohamed Salah's double just before half time put Liverpool 2-1 ahead and Van Dijk was full of praise for his teammate: "He’s a very important member of the team, on the pitch and off the pitch. Today, he showed that as well with the two goals. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get the win, of course."

"We came to win"

Having lost in controversial circumstances at Tottenham last week, the Reds came to the Amex "to win", the Netherlands captain said.

"I think we had opportunities to do so as well, but in the end [we got] a draw after a difficult game," he added.

"Overall, I’m still proud of my team and there’s a lot of good things that we have been showing over the last couple of weeks. Now the international break is coming up and we have to get healthy through that. Hopefully, everyone is successful and then back for a very interesting couple of games."

Next up for the Reds is the Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Saturday 21 October.