SEE NAPLES AND...CRY

Van Dijk reveals the pain the squad felt by Napoli humbling and pundits' reaction

-  DAVID MADDOCK

VIRGIL VAN DIJK has revealed the deep hurt Liverpool players felt after their humiliation in Naples but told Kop fans: Things will get better.

Jurgen Klopp's men were crushed 4-1 in Italy last week before bouncing back with a 2-1 defeat of Dutch giants Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday.

The criticism they took in the wake of the woeful Naples surrender was wounding and Van Dijk believes the snipers went too far.

"What we did last week was unacceptable and in the days after that game, we had a reality check," he said. "The last week has been tough for everyone but remember we are human beings. These moments can happen in football - it is how you react to them that counts.

The Dutch defender, speaking after the win over Ajax earned by a late winner from Joel Matip, questioned ex-players who put the boot in on, Liverpool. And he argued that he would never do the same as a pundit.