Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has reached out to fans ahead of their League Cup tie against Tottenham. The defender admitted the squad is frustrated with their recent 2-2 draw against Fulham but is eager to make amends at Anfield.
The Reds hold the record for most wins in the competition, boasting an impressive ten trophies to their name. Their last triumph came in 2024 when Van Dijk scored the crucial goal in extra time against Chelsea at Wembley.
In the pre-match programme, the centre-back highlighted the significance of the upcoming clash:
There’s no doubt that we all left the pitch disappointed after Saturday’s game against Fulham. However, tonight gives us a chance to play some strong football and get back on the winning path. The League Cup will always remain an important tournament for the club, having given us many wonderful memories over the years. It was the first trophy I lifted as captain in 2024, and I’ll never forget that day and that match as long as I live. We all want to progress in this tournament as far as we can this season.
Van Dijk wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration with the drop in performance following their European success:
Saturday was disappointing. We didn’t reach the required level and were unhappy with both the result and the quality of our play. Just a few days prior, we’d put on a brilliant performance against Atletico Madrid. We wanted to build on that success against Fulham, but we failed to do so, which was frustrating. Still, we have to accept the point and move on. We’re unbeaten this season, and that’s a foundation to build on if we start turning draws into wins. At Liverpool, you’re expected to give your all every three days. That’s the essence of playing for such a club. Fortunately, we get another opportunity to showcase our best selves tonight.
The Netherlands international also acknowledged the return of former teammate Andy Robertson, now playing for Spurs:
It’s going to be a very emotional evening with Andy Robertson returning. He left not so long ago. I’m sure the fans will give him a fantastic reception. It’ll be nice to see him, although it will take some getting used to seeing him in Tottenham colours! The match will be tough. We need to prove we can consistently perform at a high level. The best teams don’t just deliver flashes of brilliance every few matches. They confirm their quality match after match. I believe we can do it. I see the team’s hard work in training. The key is to transfer that onto the pitch and find stability. If we do that, the results will follow.
