Emergency EXITS

I DON'T LIKE THE BOOING - BUT IT'S UP TO US TO BRING IT TO A STOP, ADMITS VAN DIJK

- By IAN DOYLE Chief LFC Writer

Fans leave Anfield before the full-time whistle on Saturday; inset left, Virgil van Dijk

(DAN STITTEN/GETTY)

VIRGIL van Dijk was not messing about. The remaining stragglers were still trudging away from Anfield when, barely 10 minutes after the final whistle on another afternoon of frustration that prompted a smattering of boos from the home support, the Liverpool captain was already showered and dressed and ready to field questions from the gathered media.

And that immediate reaction from the fanbase to a disappointing 1-1 Premier League draw against struggling Burnley was foremost in his mind.

"I don’t like boos from my own fans," responded Van Dijk when asked if the audible jeering had hurt.

But are Liverpool now testing the patience of the Anfield crowd after a third home draw in five, all of which were avoidable?

"What can I say?" said the Reds skipper. "We have to keep going."

Having been held to similar stalemates by Sunderland and Leeds United in the previous six weeks, it is the first time since 1980/81 that Liverpool have failed to beat any of the three promoted teams at home.

The Reds went on to win the European Cup that season, although a repeat was far from the minds of all involved at the weekend.

"1980? Wow," said Van Dijk when told of the unwanted statistic. "That's the reality and we need support, that’s the only thing I can say."

Liverpool dominated the match with 32 shots at goal and 11 on target.