After their worst start to Premier League campaign for a decade, VVD says Kop’s been hit by crippling confidence crisis

IT started as a blip with no wins in the first three league games this season.

Now, with no win in the last three either, it is starting to look like a trend.

And Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool’s “confidence is creeping away” because of their dramatic collapse in form. After going so close to the Quadruple last season, Liverpool are reeling from their worst start to a campaign for a decade. That was back in 2012 when Brendan Rodgers picked up just nine points from his first eight games – right now Jurgen Klopp’s side are just one point better off. Van Dijk, whose arrival from Southampton in January 2018 helped turn Liverpool from nearly men to Premier League and Champions League winners, admits the Kop’s poor run is taking its toll on the players. He said: “We are all human beings and sometimes you need a bit of confidence in certain moments.

“Every human being, whatever job, whatever the situation, needs confidence to perform at the highest level.

“If you’re not winning as regularly as you’re used to, then confidence creeps away, but we know that it can turn around. We know we have to work and we have to work hard. That’s the only way forward for us.”

Liverpool, who have won only two of eight Premier League games so far this season, appear to have issues all over the pitch.

Their trademark press has gone and opponents are finding it much easier to play through them.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form has fallen off a cliff, but it is unfair to pin everything on him because the malaise at the back has infected everyone.

The Liverpool midfield is in serious need of an overhaul and the failure of manager Klopp (left) to make a top-quality signing when he could not acquire either Jude Bellingham or French international Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer looks more damaging every game.

Arthur Melo, a panic buy from Juventus, has made no impact. The Brazilian was last seen playing against Rochdale in the Papa Johns Trophy last month and is now sidelined with injury.

Up front, record £85million signing Darwin Nunez is struggling to replace Sadio Mane, and Mo Salah is a shadow of his normal devastating self. Salah has just four goals, compared to 12 at this stage last season.

Even Van Dijk has looked vulnerable, with Liverpool conceding 17 goals in their 11 Premier League and European games.

“Obviously if you concede goals, it’s not a good thing,” Van Dijk told the club’s website. “We try to avoid it. We do everything in our power not to concede because no one wants to concede goals.

“Unfortunately we’ve already conceded too many. There are multiple reasons for it but we try to work on it each and every day behind the scenes.

“We try to improve and get back to the level we are supposed to be.”

After eight games last season Liverpool had collected 18 points. After eight games this season they have just 10. And it doesn’t get any easier for them. After tomorrow’s testing Champions League clash against Rangers in Glasgow, they must face Manchester City and goal-crazy Erling Haaland at Anfield on Sunday.

Van Dijk, whose record of never having lost a Premier League game at Anfield as a Liverpool player is in serious jeopardy, says the Reds must now regroup.

“The only thing we can do is try to win the next game,” he said.

“The games come thick and fast – we just have to be ready.”