Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has described this season as “unacceptable” following their latest defeat to Manchester United, admitting the club has fallen far below its usual standards.
The Reds slumped to their 18th loss in all competitions after a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, piling more pressure on Arne Slot’s side during a disappointing title defence.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the Liverpool skipper was quoted as saying, “I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk said. “It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.”
The Liverpool captain acknowledged that the team must take responsibility and respond strongly to avoid repeating the same struggles next season.
“We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool,” he added.
Despite a brief upturn in form with three consecutive Premier League wins before the defeat, Liverpool have now suffered 11 league losses this season — an unusually high number for defending champions.
Van Dijk stressed that improvements must go beyond what happens on the pitch.
“There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season,” he said. “When I am back from the World Cup, I will go into it, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes.”
The Dutch defender also highlighted the importance of securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League, with Liverpool still needing points from their remaining fixtures.
“We have three games left, and the realisation has to come from ourselves, as a group and as players, to make sure that we are in the Champions League,” Van Dijk said.
“Because of the impact of it for the financial side for the club, but also because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe.”
He concluded with a message of commitment despite the struggles.
“I care so much about this club. I know that it has been a tough season, but I will always be there in good and bad days. It’s not easy, but we keep going.”
