Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has issued a stern challenge to his squad, urging them to make amends for what he described as an “unacceptable” performance during the previous campaign. The Reds endured a difficult year, finishing fifth in the Premier League and failing to secure any silverware, a decline that ultimately led to the departure of manager Arne Slot.
The scale of the struggle was evident in the statistics: just 12 months after claiming the English title, Liverpool suffered 19 defeats across 56 matches in all competitions. Their league form was particularly concerning, with 12 losses in 38 games—a tally only one fewer than the club had recorded over the three preceding seasons combined. Furthermore, their cup runs ended prematurely, with exits in the fourth round of the League Cup and quarter-final eliminations in both the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Internal friction added to the turmoil, as the relationship between Slot and Mohamed Salah deteriorated. The Egyptian forward publicly claimed he had been treated as a scapegoat for the team’s broader failures. Looking ahead, Van Dijk is focused on moving past these frustrations, stating, “Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around.”
The defender emphasized that the squad must embrace the pressure of playing for Liverpool. “We all know how tough that will be, but if you’re not up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place,” he noted. While he believes the current group is ready to compete, he stressed the importance of showing commitment and fighting for the club badge, adding, “I’m really looking forward to this season and I don’t think we have a point to prove to anyone.”
The club has turned to former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to restore the high-intensity style of play that faded under Slot. The squad has seen significant turnover, with Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson departing, and Curtis Jones expected to join Inter Milan. New arrivals include permanent signings Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, alongside a loan deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Physical conditioning remains a primary concern for the new manager. After Iraola remarked during pre-season that the players were only fit enough for 30 minutes of high-intensity action, Van Dijk acknowledged the need to avoid the injury crises that hampered them last term. “We need everyone to be fit. We need a squad which is able to compete on all four fronts,” he said.
Van Dijk expressed optimism regarding the tactical shift under Iraola, pointing to the exciting football Bournemouth displayed last season. He believes that by maintaining focus, belief, and quality, the team can find success. “I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality then we can be very excited,” Van Dijk concluded, adding that he is waiting to see how the final weeks of the transfer window shape the squad for the upcoming challenge. The report also notes that now Dutch defender Van Dijk wants his team-mates to erase the bitter taste of last season with a far more successful run this term.
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