'It's our own fault... again' - Van Dijk admits Liverpool only have themselves to blame

Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool’s two dropped points against Manchester United at Old Trafford was “100 percent” self-inflicted, with the Reds’ Premier League title destiny again out of their hands. 

Liverpool had the chance to move clear of Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table with a victory over the Red Devils but were instead left reliant on a late Mohamed Salah penalty to rescue a point. 

Despite out-shooting United 15 to zero in the first half, the Anfield side only had a single goal to show for their efforts and that slender margin wasn’t enough to prevent an unlikely United fightback. 

Bruno Fernandes struck the equaliser in extraordinary circumstances before Kobbie Mainoo put the hosts ahead. 

Liverpool were left to rue individual mistakes as well as missed chances, and have given themselves more work to do in the title race. 

Van Dijk fronted up following the defeat and was not shy about attributing blame for the setback. 

“Obviously, it’s our own fault again,” he told Sky Sports. 

“We should have been 2-0 up, at least, at half-time. We had them under control and it’s just a shame. 

“It definitely feels like a loss at this point. Because we were wasteful with our chances, we gave them a lifeline and, unfortunately, individual mistakes can happen in a game but there was still so much time to put it right. 

“We were in a rush, we were losing too many balls and challenges in midfield and then obviously it could be a wide open game instead of keeping it calm. Feels like a loss.” 

Van Dijk: We've got to make it up in next games

Liverpool were visiting Old Trafford just three weeks on from their FA Cup quarter-final defeat, where again they were the dominant force but gave United enough impetus to get something from the game. 

On that occasion Liverpool were eliminated.

“One-hundred percent [self-inflicted], feels a bit similar like the cup game again,” the Dutch captain said. 

“The first half was much better than we played back then because we created chances and limited them to chances. 

“But obviously we know one moment can change the game if we don’t finish it off, so that’s the disappointing part. 

“We should have won here today but the reality is that we didn’t, now we have to make it up in all the other games.”