Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, Crystal Palace, Community Shield, Transfer News, Alexander Isak, Football, Premier League
Luke Davies
Topics: Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, Crystal Palace, Community Shield, Transfer News, Alexander Isak, Football, Premier League
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has made a huge transfer demand following his side’s Community Shield defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Reds suffered their second consecutive Wembley defeat against Crystal Palace.
The Eagles won 3-2 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 in 90 minutes. Liverpool got off to a flyer when new signing Hugo Ekitike scored just four minutes in.
But Palace levelled through a Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty on 17 minutes after Van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr.
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Arne Slot’s side were ahead again just four minutes later, thanks to a rather fortunate goal from Jeremie Frimpong. The Eagles then levelled the score through Sarr on 77 minutes, taking the game to penalties.
Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and Alexis Mac Allister failed to score in the shootout before Justin Devenny scored the decisive spot kick for Palace to the delight of the Eagles supporters.
After the match, some Liverpool fans explained how they felt that their side now lacked attacking options off the bench following the departures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk spoke to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook following his side’s defeat at Wembley.
“I hate losing… and I’ve my last two games at Wembley, not good,” said Van Dijk.
“After Darwin and Lucho left, we need a new striker for sure this summer.”
Of course, there’s seemingly one man Liverpool are interested in, and that’s Newcastle forward Alexander Isak.
Isak, 25, has been the subject of interest from Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window, with the Reds seeing a £110m plus add-ons bid rejected by the Magpies last week.
Despite Liverpool’s interest in the player, Isak returned to Newcastle’s training ground on Monday but was instructed to stay away from first-team training by head coach Eddie Howe.
And the Newcastle boss gave his thoughts on the situation on Saturday.
“I think everything is in play," Howe said after Newcastle's 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Atletico Madrid.
"I've said many times he is contracted to us. He is our player. The club make the decision on his future.
"I don't know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome. I want the best and the strongest squad possible, but I also want players that really want to play for this football club."
Newcastle have maintained that Isak is not for sale this summer.