Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged his teammates to respond strongly after what he described as an unacceptable 2025/26 campaign, insisting the Reds must show greater hunger and determination when the new Premier League season begins.
Liverpool endured a difficult campaign after entering the previous season with expectations of competing for major honours. The club finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy, a significant disappointment for a team that had lifted the English title only a year earlier.
For Van Dijk, there is little value in dwelling on what went wrong. The experienced Dutch defender believes the disappointment should instead provide motivation as Liverpool prepare for a fresh start under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
“Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around,” Van Dijk said, making it clear that the squad understands the responsibility ahead.
The Liverpool captain also acknowledged that achieving a significant improvement will not be straightforward. The Premier League remains intensely competitive, with several clubs strengthening their squads and entering the campaign with ambitions of challenging for the title and European qualification.
Van Dijk, however, believes Liverpool’s players must embrace that pressure rather than avoid it.
He warned that anyone who is not prepared to fight for success at Liverpool may not be in the right environment. His comments underline the standards expected at Anfield, where competing for trophies is regarded as a basic requirement rather than an added ambition.
The change in management has given the club an opportunity to begin again. Iraola has replaced Arne Slot after Slot’s second season ended with Liverpool falling well short of expectations.
Under Iraola, the Reds are expected to adopt a more energetic and aggressive approach, with the Spanish coach bringing a reputation for intense football from his time at Bournemouth.
Van Dijk has indicated that the squad is responding positively to the new challenge. He said the mood around the team suggests the players are ready to work hard and fight for a better campaign.
The Liverpool captain’s comments come after a season in which injuries also disrupted the team’s progress.
The defender admitted that Liverpool must find ways to reduce the impact of injuries, particularly after several players spent significant periods on the sidelines during the previous campaign.
Maintaining the fitness of key players will be crucial if Liverpool are to compete across multiple competitions.
The defensive department has also undergone significant changes. Liverpool have lost important players from their previous backline and have moved to strengthen their options ahead of the new season.
Uruguay international Ronald Araújo has arrived on loan from Barcelona, while French defender Jérémy Jacquet has joined permanently. Both players featured in Liverpool’s recent 2-0 pre-season victory over Como, with Jacquet also finding the net.
Van Dijk has acknowledged that building understanding with new defensive partners will take time.
The Liverpool captain believes competitive matches will be particularly important in developing the communication and understanding required between defenders. Training can help players learn one another’s movements, but the intensity and unpredictability of actual matches provide a different test.
That rebuilding process will be one of the major storylines surrounding Liverpool when the new campaign gets underway.
The club will also have to cope with significant changes elsewhere in the squad. The departure of Mohamed Salah has removed one of Liverpool’s most influential attacking figures, leaving greater responsibility on the remaining forwards to provide goals and creativity.
The absence of such an experienced player means Liverpool will need contributions from several members of the squad rather than depending heavily on one individual.
Van Dijk’s leadership will consequently become even more important.
At 35, the defender remains one of Liverpool’s most experienced players and continues to occupy a central role in the dressing room. His ability to maintain high standards and motivate younger teammates could prove vital during a transitional campaign.
The first major test is already on the horizon.
Liverpool will begin their Premier League season away against Newcastle United on August 23, giving Iraola an immediate challenge against a team capable of competing for European places.
The opening fixture will provide an early indication of how quickly Liverpool have adapted to their new manager and whether the changes made during pre-season are beginning to produce results.
For Van Dijk, though, the objective extends far beyond one match.
Liverpool need consistency.
The previous campaign was undermined by too many defeats and disappointing performances, leaving the club outside the Champions League qualification places. The Reds lost 19 of their 56 matches in all competitions and suffered 12 Premier League defeats, according to reports.
Those numbers explain why Van Dijk considers the previous season unacceptable.
Liverpool also failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup, while their League Cup campaign ended in the fourth round. The lack of silverware intensified the frustration surrounding the team.
Now, the captain wants his teammates to use that experience as motivation.
The challenge is not simply to improve their league position but to restore the mentality that has made Liverpool one of England’s most successful clubs.
For supporters, there is cautious optimism surrounding the arrival of Iraola. His energetic football could provide a welcome change after an inconsistent previous season, but the new coach will need time to implement his ideas.
Van Dijk knows that patience alone will not be enough.
Liverpool must produce results.
The players must also demonstrate greater intensity, commitment and consistency, particularly in difficult matches when games are decided by small margins.
As the new Premier League season approaches, the message from the Liverpool captain is unmistakable.
The disappointment of last season cannot be repeated.
Van Dijk believes Liverpool have the quality to respond, but the players must demonstrate that belief on the pitch. With a new manager, a reshaped squad and renewed expectations, the Reds have an opportunity to turn a painful season into the motivation for a much stronger campaign.
The first chapter of that response begins against Newcastle.
Liverpool’s supporters will be watching closely to see whether their captain’s call for redemption translates into performances worthy of the club’s ambitions.
