Virgil van Dijk Challenges Liverpool to Avoid Another Unacceptable Season
Virgil van Dijk has drawn a hard line under last season and thrown down a challenge to everyone inside Liverpool’s dressing room: there can be no repeat of what he calls an “unacceptable” campaign.
On the eve of the new Premier League season, the Liverpool captain spoke with a bluntness that matched the mood of a club still stung by how far they fell. Twelve league defeats, 20 losses in all competitions, and a title defence that crumbled into a scramble for fourth and then, in the end, a fifth-place finish. Champions League football was salvaged on the final day, but the damage was already done.
Arne Slot paid the price within a week of the season ending. Liverpool moved quickly, turning to Andoni Iraola, who was available after leaving Bournemouth. The Basque coach signed a two-year deal in early June and has already started to leave his mark.
Pre-season has offered a glimpse of what is coming: higher tempo, more risk, more front-foot football. Van Dijk, about to begin his 10th season at Anfield, sounds energised by the shift – but also adamant that style will mean nothing if standards do not rise.
“For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable,” he said. “But that is last year. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans.
“And we all know how tough that will be but if you don't up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let's see how we go about it.
“But I'm really looking forward to this season and I don't think we have a point to prove to anyone. We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool.”
The new era begins on Sunday away to Newcastle United, a fixture that rarely allows for half measures. It will also likely bring a new look to the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Iraola must decide whether to throw £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet straight in for his debut or lean on the experience of Ronald Araujo, the Barcelona defender who arrived on loan earlier this month. Either way, Van Dijk will marshal a new partner as he leads the side into a season that already feels like a test of character as much as quality.
If there were any doubts about the players’ appetite for the fight, the captain moved quickly to crush them.
“We all know how tough it is to be playing Premier League football, to be playing on all four fronts, but you have to embrace it. You have to enjoy the ride,” he said. “We are all so blessed here and we have to keep going and enjoy it and that's what I will do, and I encourage everyone to do that as well. That's what I keep saying to the boys as well so let's see.”
The belief in Iraola’s methods is clear. Van Dijk pointed to Bournemouth’s transformation last season under the Spaniard as a sign of what might be possible if Liverpool fully buy in.
“If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting,” he said. “I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited. That's the aim, that’s what we fight for, but we all know how tough it is.”
The demands on the squad will be relentless again: Premier League, Champions League, domestic cups. Van Dijk knows Liverpool cannot afford to be stretched as thin as they were at times last season.
“We need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts and that’s the only way to try to be successful,” he said. “Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.”
A new manager, a new style, a new partner at centre-back – and a captain who has made it abundantly clear that “unacceptable” will not be tolerated twice. The talking is done. Newcastle away will show who is really up for the challenge.
