Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a stark assessment of his team's season, calling it "unacceptable" after a crushing 3-2 defeat to Manchester United marked their 18th loss across all competitions. For a club with Liverpool's storied history and recent Premier League title success, this season has been a painful departure from the standards set under previous management.
The Dutch defender didn't mince words when addressing the media after the match at Old Trafford. "I'm not here to make excuses," van Dijk stated firmly. "It's been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it's tough. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don't happen. It's not Liverpool."
The defeat came despite a promising three-game winning streak in the Premier League, highlighting the inconsistency that has plagued Arne Slot's side throughout their title defense. With 11 league losses already, Liverpool finds itself in unwanted company—the last reigning champions to lose more league games were Leicester City, who suffered 18 defeats in their 2016-17 campaign. That's a statistic no Liverpool fan wants to see repeated.
Despite the disappointment, Champions League qualification remains within reach. Liverpool needs just four points from their remaining three matches to secure a spot among Europe's elite—a crucial goal not just for prestige but for the financial stability it provides. "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 emphasized. "We want to be playing against the best teams in Europe."
Looking ahead, van Dijk stressed that significant changes are needed behind the scenes. "There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season," he said, noting his commitment to the club even during this difficult period. "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 lesser good days."
The captain also addressed social media speculation about the team's training intensity, defending the squad's preparation and dismissing claims that they've had too many days off. For Liverpool fans, the message is clear: this season's struggles are a wake-up call, and the road back to the top starts now. As van Dijk put it, "It's not Liverpool"—and the club will be working hard to make sure next season reflects the true identity of this historic team.