Liverpool is grappling with a string of injuries to key players, notably losing Dominik Szoboszlai during their recent match against Manchester City, where they squandered a 1-0 lead to ultimately lose 2-1. The defeat was marked by Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick, which was overshadowed by subsequent goals from Manchester City, alongside his later red card following a VAR review. This loss has compounded the pressures already faced by manager Arne Slot due to ongoing injury woes that threaten the team's performance and standing in the league.

As Liverpool prepares for their next fixture against Sunderland, they face not only the challenge of bouncing back from this defeat but also the stern test of overcoming an unbeaten Sunderland side in the Premier League this season. The injury crisis has left manager Slot with increasing selection difficulties, which he will need to navigate carefully to maintain the team's challenge for Champions League qualification. Szoboszlai’s absence will certainly pose a significant hurdle as they head into this critical encounter.

Van Dijk's comments reflect a broader atmosphere of urgency within the team as players rally together to confront the challenges ahead. With surgery fears looming, particularly for key players like Van Dijk himself, the squad must remain focused to ensure that injuries do not derail their season's aspirations. Liverpool will need to leverage their collective resilience to navigate both the injury challenges and the competitive fixtures ahead, starting with a crucial match against Sunderland.