Virgil van Dijk Sets High Expectations for Liverpool's New Season
Virgil van Dijk has drawn a hard line in the sand before a ball is kicked. Last season, he says, was “unacceptable” for Liverpool. There can be no repeat.
The Liverpool captain spoke on the eve of the new Premier League campaign, one that starts with a demanding trip to Newcastle United on Sunday and under a new man in the dugout, Andoni Iraola. The mood around Anfield is different. It has to be.
Twelve league defeats. Twenty losses in all competitions. A title defence that never really caught fire as Arne Slot’s side staggered to fifth place on the final day, salvaging Champions League qualification but little pride. The underperformance cost Slot his job within a week of the season ending, with Liverpool moving quickly to bring in Iraola after his departure from Bournemouth.
The Basque coach signed a two-year deal in early June and has already left his fingerprints on the team. Pre-season has pointed towards a more daring, front-foot style. Van Dijk, about to begin his 10th season at the club, likes what he sees – but he is adamant that style alone will not fix what went wrong.
“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 message is clear: no sulking, no excuses, no extended post-mortem. Work, fight, respond.
Van Dijk has already seen enough of Iraola’s work to believe Liverpool can be a more thrilling watch again.
“If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
A new era on the touchline will be mirrored by a fresh look at the heart of the defence. Van Dijk is set to line up with a new centre-back partner as Iraola decides between £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, the Barcelona defender who arrived on loan earlier this month. It is a significant call for the opening day, and a sign of the depth Liverpool want to build.
The Netherlands captain knows why that depth is non-negotiable.
“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.”
