Revealed: Angry Arne Slot’s behind-closed-doors dressing down to Liverpool stars who are breaking records for letting in stoppage-time winners

Arne Slot read Liverpool’s players the riot act after another self-inflicted defeat put their hopes of Champions League qualification in jeopardy.

Liverpool’s head coach stormed off the field after Andre had scored a 94th minute goal for Wolves; it was the fifth time Slot’s team had conceded so deep in a game and left them with an unwanted – and embarrassing – record.

Slot is usually considered and calm when he is in front of the cameras but Virgil van Dijk revealed his compatriot’s anger boiled over the dressing room; the concession of late goals has cost Liverpool 10 points this season and the impact could be ruinous.

Van Dijk has accepted the odds are mounting about Liverpool clambering into the top four and it is up to the players to prove they have the capabilities to salvage the situation.

‘He was angry,’ said van Dijk. ‘Of course. He had every right because we played poorly.

‘That was already the case in the first half. Second half maybe there was more urgency but it still wasn’t good enough. He had every right to be angry. We have to pretty quickly turn this into full focus on Friday. That’s our responsibility physically and mentally.’

Liverpool have lost five games to stoppage-time goals this season, the most of any team

When it was pointed out that Liverpool have little margin for error with eight games to play, Van Dijk replied: ‘Either we get it and we deserve it or we don’t get it and we don’t deserve it.

‘One hundred per cent (it could have a big impact on the summer). The stakes are very high. Listen, if you play for Liverpool, it’s always been like that. It’s down to us, together with our fans, to get the results we need to get into the CL.

“We’re also still playing in the Champions League and the FA Cup this season and trying to make it successful. Now the decisive period starts. We have to just go for it. We have to take this on the chin. No matter how hard it is to take.’

The ruinous goals Liverpool have conceded late in games against Wolves, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Manchester City were all wholly avoidable but Van Dijk does not believe it is one particular pattern.

‘You can’t compare them,’ he insisted. ‘This was a massive deflection. We had chances to make it 2-1 to us. I had a massive chance. Mo had the one that got intercepted. It could have gone the other way as well.

‘At Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, the late goals came from set-pieces. The others I can’t even remember. We’ve also scored a lot of late goals ourselves this season. The fact is we lost and in my opinion that’s all down to us, with all due respect to Wolves.’