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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his teammates to respond strongly after what he described as an “unacceptable” campaign last season.
The Reds endured a disappointing 2025/26 season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and ending the campaign without a major trophy.
Their poor run of form also led to the departure of Arne Slot, who was sacked after just one season in charge.
Liverpool lost 19 of their 56 matches across all competitions, including 12 defeats in 38 Premier League games.
They failed to get past the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals and bowed out of the League Cup in the fourth round.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Slot’s relationship with Mohamed Salah disintegrated, with the Egypt forward claiming he had been made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s troubles.
Now Dutch defender Van Dijk wants his team-mates to erase the bitter taste of last season with a far more successful run this term.
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“Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around,” Van Dijk said.
“We all know how tough that will be but if you’re not up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place.
“What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let’s see how we go about it.
“I’m really looking forward to this season, and I don’t think we have a point to prove to anyone.
“We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool.”
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been hired to restore the high-intensity football which disappeared under Slot.
