Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his teammates to dish out a strong response to last season's disappointments. As the new Premier League campaign approaches, the Dutch defender has candidly discussed the club's previous performances.
Last season, Liverpool entered the campaign as reigning champions but endured a rocky spell. The Reds faced 12 defeats in the league and 20 across all competitions, ultimately finishing in fifth place, which secured them a spot in the Champions League.
Van Dijk acknowledged that such results fall short of the club's standards, yet he emphasised the excellent opportunity to rectify the situation.
“For me personally, as a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable. But that’s in the past. This year we have the chance to turn things around alongside our supporters,” the player stated.
The captain noted that the team is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead but is ready to embrace the task.
“And we all know how tough it will be, but if you’re not ready for a fight, then you’re not in the right place. What I feel right now is that everyone is ready to take on this challenge. Let’s see how we perform,” the Dutchman added.
Van Dijk stressed the importance of actions over words, insisting the team need not prove themselves verbally; rather, they must show their character on the pitch.
“But I am really looking forward to this season and don’t believe we need to prove anything to anyone. We must show how much we care about the club, how fiercely we want to fight for this badge, and understand how privileged we are to play for Liverpool,” he concluded.
He also cited the inspiring example of Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola, encouraging both fans and teammates to relish every moment of playing at the highest level.
“If you look at Bournemouth last year, I think they performed very brightly. We need to keep pushing forward and enjoy it, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing,” the Liverpool captain summed up.
