EPL: Van Dijk urges Liverpool to make amends for ‘unacceptable’ season

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged his side to make amends for their “unacceptable” performances last season.

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The Reds finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy in a dismal campaign that ended in Arne Slot’s sacking.

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Just 12 months after winning the English title, Liverpool were beaten in 19 of their 56 matches in all competitions and 12 of their 38 league games — only one fewer than they had lost in the previous three seasons combined.

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They failed to get past the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals and bowed out of the League Cup in the fourth round.

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As if that wasn’t bad enough, Slot’s relationship with Mohamed Salah disintegrated, with the Egypt forward claiming he had been made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s troubles.

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Now Dutch defender Van Dijk wants his team-mates to erase the bitter taste of last season with a far more successful run this term.

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“Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around,” Van Dijk said.

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“We all know how tough that will be but if you’re not up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place.

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“What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let’s see how we go about it.

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“I’m really looking forward to this season, and I don’t think we have a point to prove to anyone.

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“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.”

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Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been hired to restore the high-intensity football which disappeared under Slot.

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Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have all departed Anfield since the end of last season, with Curtis Jones set to join Inter Milan.

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Spain winger Victor Munoz and Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet have arrived on permanent deals, while Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo was brought in on loan.

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After Iraola said during pre-season that the players were only fit enough to run for 30 minutes of a match, Van Dijk admitted Liverpool must find a way to avoid the rash of injuries that plagued them last season.

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Van Dijk hopes Iraola can get Liverpool playing with more verve and purpose than they managed in Slot’s ill-fated second campaign.

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“If you look at Bournemouth last year, I think they were pretty exciting. I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, then we can be very excited,” Van Dijk said.

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“We need everyone to be fit. We need a squad which is able to compete on all four fronts, and that’s the only way to try to be successful.

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“Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.”

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AFP

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