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Virgil van Dijk has shared his honest thoughts after Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat, highlighting what the team needs to improve going forward.

The Community Shield is meant to set the tone for the new season.

For Liverpool, it was their first real test since a busy summer in the transfer market.

They came into the game as reigning Premier League champions and with several big-name signings on the pitch.

Fans were eager to see the new-look squad in action.

The match against Crystal Palace was never going to be an easy one.

Palace had already shown last season they can cause problems for anyone.

Liverpool twice took the lead, but twice let it slip.

The game ended level and went to penalties, where Palace came out on top.

For supporters, it was a reminder that even after spending heavily, there is still work to do.

The defeat hurt, especially as it came at Wembley, a stage Liverpool have struggled on recently.

For one senior player, the frustration was clear, and he did not hide it when speaking afterwards.

Captain Virgil van Dijk was direct in his post-match thoughts when speaking to Alex Crook on talkSPORT?

“I hate losing and I’ve lost my last two games at Wembley,” he admitted, summing up the disappointment.

The Dutchman pointed to defensive errors as a key factor in the loss, saying he “bemoaned defensive mistakes” but added that he “wasn’t worried” moving forward.

Van Dijk also addressed the squad’s attacking options.

With Darwin Nnuez and Luis Díaz out, he believes more firepower could be needed.

“After losing Nunez and Diaz we need another forward,” he said, a comment that many will see as a call for reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

The line about another forward “sounded like a ‘go get Isak’ plea,” given Liverpool’s reported interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

From Liverpool’s point of view, Van Dijk’s words carry weight.

As captain, his opinion reflects both the competitive mindset within the squad and the awareness that the season will be long and demanding.

The Community Shield may not define the year, but it has shown where improvements are needed if Liverpool are to keep winning trophies.

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