EPL: I take responsibility – Van Dijk on Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal

Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, has taken responsibility for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka had made it 1-0, before a clumsy own goal from Gabriel Magalhaes levelled the game.

But early in the second half, Van Dijk clashed into goalkeeper Allisson Becker, leaving Martinelli to roll the ball into an empty net.

Leandro Trossard then came off the bench to seal a huge victory for the Gunners.

Van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “A tough day. I think the 2-1 [Martinelli’s goal] I take full responsibility for that.

“That is a big moment in the game. I should have made a better decision – it hurts for me.

“Like I said, that was a big turning point in the game. After the break we were so good and had opportunities and were dominant, the atmosphere started to come nervous.

“The turning point is my responsibility, I should try to clear it.

“Obviously these things don’t happen too often in my career, but I will recover from this.

“It is a physical game and I am not looking for excuses. At the highest level it is a split decision.

“Alisson touched me a little bit and he couldn’t clear it, but I take full responsibility for this and I will try to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”