Liverpool Need to 'Switch Back On' After Europa League Flop, Says Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has demanded an immediate reaction from Liverpool after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta - AFP
Virgil van Dijk has demanded an immediate reaction from Liverpool after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta - AFP
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Liverpool Need to 'Switch Back On' After Europa League Flop, Says Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has demanded an immediate reaction from Liverpool after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta - AFP
Virgil van Dijk has demanded an immediate reaction from Liverpool after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta - AFP

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said the Reds must react immediately to a Europa League humbling by Atalanta if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the Premier League in Jurgen Klopp's final season.

Klopp's men were beaten at Anfield for the first time in 14 months on Thursday as a 3-0 victory put Atalanta on the brink of the Europa League semi-finals.

Liverpool are second in a tight three-way battle for the Premier League title, behind leaders Arsenal only on goal difference with seven games to go.

They have less than 72 hours to recover before hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday and can ill afford any slip up against the Eagles.

"It hurts, we didn't lose here for a long time," said Van Dijk, AFP reported. "They punished us for being sloppy in possession.

"This will definitely hurt tonight and then from tomorrow we need to switch it back on to get a result."

Gianluca Scamacca scored twice either side of half-time before Mario Pasalic rounded off a famous night for the Italians, who have only ever reached one previous European semi-final.

"It's a collective thing and we all know we have to do much better," added Van Dijk.

"It hurts but it can't put us down. We have to react pretty quickly."

Klopp admitted the performance of a number of his players came as a shock.

The German had made six changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Manchester United on Sunday.

But even the introduction of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Andy Robertson, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota failed to turn things around in the second half.

"We have to show a reaction immediately on Sunday - that is much more important," said Klopp.

"In this moment it has to feel really bad, the boys must go home and sleep bad that's how it is.

"Then when we meet tomorrow we have to prepare for Crystal Palace, see who is ready to play, these kind of things.

"A lot of performances tonight were really 'oops I didn't know he could play like that'."



Alcaraz Crushes Shevchenko to Reach Second Round at Australian Open

 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain waves as he leaves Margaret Court Arena after his first round win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain waves as he leaves Margaret Court Arena after his first round win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP)
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Alcaraz Crushes Shevchenko to Reach Second Round at Australian Open

 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain waves as he leaves Margaret Court Arena after his first round win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain waves as he leaves Margaret Court Arena after his first round win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP)

Carlos Alcaraz began his bid to complete a career Grand Slam with an imperfect but entertaining 6-1 7-5 6-1 win over Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko to ease into the Australian Open second round on Monday.

Four-times major champion Alcaraz is targeting his maiden trophy at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to capture all four Grand Slam titles and the 21-year-old went all guns blazing after a slightly nervy opening game.

"I always say that it's hard work," Alcaraz said.

"I try to bring the best of me every day. That's the secret. Every day I try to be a better person and better player."

The third seed, still fine-tuning a new service motion that he adopted in the off season, fended off a break point and then broke in the third game to take full control of the opening set which he wrapped up in double quick time.

French Open and Wimbledon holder Alcaraz found his range with some devastating winners on both flanks and went up 3-1 in the second set but world number 77 Shevchenko won the next four games as fans on Margaret Court Arena got behind the underdog.

Alcaraz switched back on and struck a fiery forehand winner to set up another break point and drew level in the 10th game as his opponent began to feel the intense pressure again and went on to surrender the set.

With the momentum having swung definitively, 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz reeled off games in the third set and finished it off with a big ace on his fifth match point to book a second-round meeting with Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

"He's a really solid player," Alcaraz said.

"I have to be focused on my shots ... Hopefully I can enjoy the match, it's going to be tough. I'll try to produce some good tennis for people to enjoy."