Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk says unacceptable season cannot be repeated

Captain Virgil van Dijk says LiverpoolThe season proved “unacceptable” after Arne Slot’s team suffered an 18th defeat in all competitions. Lost to Manchester United.

The Dutch defender also highlighted the need for “a lot of work to be done behind the scenes” to avoid a repeat of the disappointing Premier League title defence.

“I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk said.

“It’s been a very disappointing, unacceptable season and it’s difficult. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves in any way.

“We need to work, turn this situation around and make sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen next season. This isn’t Liverpool.”

Liverpool may need to pick up four points from their remaining three games to confirm qualification for the Champions League.

The 3-2 defeat against Michael Carrick’s side at Old Trafford came on the back of a three-game winning streak in the Premier League, but was Liverpool’s 11th defeat in their title defence.

The last champion to lose more league matches was Leicester (18) in the 2016-17 season.

“As the reigning champions of the Premier League, I think it is unacceptable that we have lost so many times and we should not accept that,” Van Dijk said.

“There will be a lot of work to be done going into next season. I will get into it when I come back from the World Cup, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes.”

The 34-year-old added: “I care very much about this club. I know it’s a difficult season but I will always be there, in good times and bad.

“But we have three games to go and we need to pull ourselves together as a group and as players to make sure we are in the Champions League because of the impact this will have on the financial side of the club. But also because we want to play against the best teams in Europe.

“It’s not easy. But we keep going.”