LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged his teammates to make amends for what he described as an “unacceptable” 2025-26 campaign, insisting the club must learn from last season’s failures and deliver a stronger response when the new Premier League season begins.
Liverpool endured a dramatic decline after winning the Premier League title the previous season, finishing fifth in the 2025-26 campaign and failing to win a major trophy. The disappointing campaign ultimately contributed to the departure of head coach Arne Slot, with Andoni Iraola taking charge as the club begins another period of transition.
Van Dijk, who remains one of Liverpool’s most experienced players and continues to captain the side, has acknowledged that the team cannot afford another season of inconsistency.
The Dutch defender has previously been outspoken about Liverpool’s disappointing performances, admitting that losing so many matches as defending Premier League champions was unacceptable. He has called for the players to take responsibility and ensure that the team’s poor results are not repeated.
Liverpool’s struggles last season were particularly striking because of the club’s dominant campaign in 2024-25. After lifting the Premier League trophy, expectations were high that the Reds would establish themselves as one of England’s leading teams for years to come.
Instead, the title defence quickly became difficult.
Liverpool suffered 12 Premier League defeats and conceded 53 goals during the campaign, eventually finishing fifth. The club also endured disappointing exits from other competitions, leaving the team without silverware and outside the top four places that guarantee Champions League qualification.
The team’s difficulties extended beyond results. Liverpool struggled for consistency, with impressive performances often followed by disappointing displays. Van Dijk himself described the situation as difficult to deal with, stressing that the squad could not continue moving between strong and poor performances without addressing the underlying problems.
One of the most damaging moments came in the FA Cup against Manchester City, when Liverpool suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat. Van Dijk later admitted that the team had effectively “given up” during the match and apologised to supporters for the performance.
The Champions League also provided little relief. Liverpool were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain after losing both legs of their quarter-final tie, ending another opportunity to salvage the season with European success.
For Van Dijk, those setbacks reinforced the need for Liverpool to rebuild its mentality as well as its squad.
The club has already undergone significant changes during the summer. Iraola has replaced Slot as head coach, while Liverpool’s squad has also experienced departures and new arrivals as the club attempts to create a team capable of challenging again.
The defensive unit is one area undergoing particular change. Van Dijk recently acknowledged that Liverpool’s restructured defence will need time to develop understanding, especially following the departures of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson and an injury to Joe Gomez. The club has brought in Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona and added French defender Jérémy Jacquet.
Van Dijk has therefore stressed the importance of patience while new players adapt to their teammates and the demands of Liverpool’s system.
However, patience does not mean lowering expectations.
Liverpool remain one of England’s most successful clubs, and supporters will expect the team to compete for major honours despite the changes taking place behind the scenes.
The new campaign will also test the leadership of Van Dijk. With several experienced players leaving the club, the Netherlands international is expected to play an important role in helping younger and newer members of the squad adapt to the demands of playing for Liverpool.
The captain’s message is particularly significant because Liverpool’s problems last season were not simply tactical. The team’s inconsistency, injuries, poor defensive performances and difficulties integrating new signings combined to produce a campaign far below expectations.
The club now has an opportunity to respond.
Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture is against Newcastle United on August 23, giving Iraola and his players an immediate opportunity to demonstrate whether the lessons from last season have been absorbed.
For Van Dijk, the objective is straightforward: Liverpool must restore consistency, compete with greater intensity and ensure that last season’s failures are not repeated.
The defender’s warning also reflects the expectations surrounding the club’s new era. Liverpool have invested heavily in their squad in recent seasons, and supporters will expect those investments to translate into performances and trophies.
After experiencing one of the most disappointing campaigns of his Liverpool career, Van Dijk now wants the team to respond on the pitch.
With a new manager, a changing squad and renewed expectations, Liverpool’s next campaign will reveal whether the Reds can turn the disappointment of last season into motivation for a serious fight for Premier League and European honours.
