‘Very disappointed’: Virgil Van Dijk says 23-year-old Liverpool player had to do better in first-half against Rangers

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Liverpool all-but-secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a dominant win against Rangers last night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side put seven past Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s Rangers team after initially going 1-0 down.

In his post-match press conference, via Liverpool’s official website, Virgil van Dijk was reflecting on Liverpool performance.

The Dutch defender was asked about Darwin Nunez, who started his third game in a row.

Van Dijk suggested that Nunez needed to do better in the first-half when he was caught offside during an attack.

The Uruguayan forward made amends in the second-half, scoring his first Champions League goal for the Reds.

Nunez is still finding his feet in England, but has now scored in two games on the bounce.

The form of Roberto Firmino means Nunez place in the side is still under threat.

However, Klopp appears to be giving the 23-year-old every opportunity to play his way into form.

Van Dijk: ‘Nunez had to do better’

Speaking to the media, Van Dijk said: “I think he was very disappointed in the first half when he had an offside moment when he was trying to square it, he had to do a little bit better there.

“But he’s a young boy who wants to give everything and is so eager to do well for us.

“He’s dealing with the whole situation now much better than in the beginning and we need him.”

Nunez scored Liverpool’s third last night, after his side capitalised on a poor clearance from Allan McGregor.

A cheeky flick from Firmino played the ball into Nunez’s path, and he passed the ball into the far corner.

Nunez showed a level of composure that hasn’t been seen often since arriving at Anfield in the summer.

TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent believed Nunez looked ‘so sharp’ against Arsenal at the weekend.

He was the best Liverpool player on the pitch that day according to Gary Neville, which will encourage Liverpool fans.

However, Nunez will need to do better in situations such as the one in the first-half last night going forward.