The Reds were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in Sunday’s annual fixture to usher in a new season, having twice led – through first-half goals from Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong – but been pegged back to draw 2-2.
Arne Slot’s side will look to shake off the outcome in London as they begin the defence of their Premier League title by hosting AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night.
“Obviously mixed [emotions],” said Van Dijk post-match. “First of all, disappointed that we didn’t win the Community Shield. That’s what we came here for.
“There were opportunities to do so, opportunities to avoid it as well. But the reality is today we’re losing.
“It’s the end of our pre-season today as well so we have to be ready now, work our socks off to be ready for Bournemouth.”
The captain continued: “We all have plenty of experience, winning and losing. What kind of impact it should have is that we realise we need a couple of things that we have to improve as a team if we want to retain the title, which obviously will be a very big job in itself.
“We have a recovery day tomorrow and then we fully focus on Bournemouth, which will be a very tough game. But I’m really looking forward to the start of the Premier League.
“Friday at home with our fans, we know it’s going to be emotional obviously with everything that is going on and happened.
“But I’m really looking forward to it.”
On the positive side for Liverpool on the afternoon were the debut goals for two of Slot’s summer recruits in Ekitike and Frimpong.
Asked about the former, who dispatched a classy low finish from the edge of the box to begin the scoring versus Palace, Van Dijk said: “It’s never easy to come from a different country and I think he has settled in pretty well.
“With his goal it was good to see, it was important and hopefully many more to come.”
