Virgil van Dijk brands Liverpool season unacceptable after United defeat
Captain Virgil van Dijk has branded Liverpool’s season as completely unacceptable after Arne Slot’s side suffered their 18th defeat of the campaign against Manchester United.
The Dutch defender stressed that significant work must take place behind the scenes to avoid a repeat of this disappointing Premier League title defence.
“I’m not here to make excuses,” stated the 34-year-old.
“It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough.”
Champions League qualification in the balance
The Merseyside club currently need four points from their final three fixtures to secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition.
This precarious position follows a narrow 3-2 loss to Michael Carrick’s team at Old Trafford, a result which halted a three-match winning streak.
It marks the 11th league loss of their title defence, with only Leicester City suffering more defeats as reigning champions during the 2016-17 campaign.
“I think it’s unacceptable that we have lost too many times as defending champions of the Premier League and we shouldn’t accept it,” the veteran centre-back explained.
“But we have three games left and the realisation has to come from ourselves, as a group and as players, to make sure that we are in the Champions League.”
Defending the training schedule
The former Southampton stalwart also moved to dismiss social media criticism regarding a perceived lack of intensity in the squad’s training schedule.
Players were granted a single day off prior to the clash in Manchester and will have another brief break before facing Chelsea on Saturday.
Addressing reports of squad members taking short city breaks, the towering defender insisted professional footballers are adults who can manage their limited downtime.
“I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways,” he added.
The Netherlands international pointed out that rival managers, such as Pep Guardiola, have successfully granted multiple rest days to their squads.
“It is finding the right balance. I can understand if people think we are not training and when results are not there it could be a reason.”
Virgil van Dijk