Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged Liverpool to respond strongly to an “unacceptable” 2025-26 season in Liverpool, England, as new head coach Andoni Iraola prepares the club for a fresh Premier League campaign.
The 35-year-old Netherlands international wants Liverpool to restore their standards and show greater determination after a season that ended without silverware and with Arne Slot losing his job.
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Liverpool endured a dramatic fall from champions to fifth in the Premier League last season.
Liverpool collected 60 points, 24 fewer than the 84 points recorded during the title-winning campaign of 2024-25, while Liverpool suffered 19 defeats across all competitions.
The decline was particularly striking because Arne Slot had guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield.
The disappointing defence of that crown ultimately led to Slot’s dismissal on May 30, with the club deciding that a more aggressive and urgent style was required.
Van Dijk Liverpool leadership is now centred on helping the squad draw a line under that difficult campaign rather than dwelling on it.
“Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around,” Van Dijk said.
The Liverpool captain also stressed that the challenge ahead would require commitment from every member of the squad.
“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,” Van Dijk said.
The message comes at a significant moment for Liverpool, with Iraola attempting to restore the high-intensity football associated with the club’s most successful recent years.
Iraola arrived from Bournemouth after building a reputation for energetic, attacking football.
Liverpool are expecting the Spaniard to inject greater intensity and purpose into a side that struggled for consistency under Slot.
The rebuilding process has already brought major changes to the squad.
Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson have all left Liverpool after their contracts expired, removing three experienced figures from the team.
Liverpool have officially confirmed the departures as part of the club’s retained-list changes.
Liverpool have responded by adding Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes and Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna, while Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo has arrived on a season-long loan.
Jacquet scored during Liverpool’s recent 2-0 friendly victory over Como, offering an encouraging early moment during a period of considerable change.
Van Dijk has also identified fitness as a crucial factor.
Iraola’s demanding approach will require Liverpool to maintain intensity over an entire match and across a long season, making squad depth and injury management central to the club’s ambitions.
Liverpool’s defensive structure is another area requiring patience.
The departures of Konaté and Robertson, alongside a pre-season injury to Joe Gomez, have forced Van Dijk to adapt to new defensive partnerships.
Van Dijk acknowledged that training can help develop understanding, but competitive matches will ultimately be needed to establish genuine cohesion.
Iraola has previously acknowledged that Liverpool still have areas to strengthen, particularly after losing important players and dealing with injuries during pre-season.
The manager has indicated that the club must remain open to opportunities before the transfer window closes.
For Van Dijk, however, the challenge extends beyond recruitment.
The Liverpool captain believes the existing squad must take responsibility for restoring the character and competitive edge expected at Anfield.
“If you’re not up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place,” Van Dijk said.
Liverpool will begin the 2026-27 Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on August 23, giving Iraola and his players an immediate test of whether the encouraging signs of pre-season can translate into competitive football.
The circumstances are markedly different from 12 months ago.
Liverpool entered the previous campaign as reigning champions with expectations of defending their crown.
Liverpool now begin the new season seeking to rebuild confidence, establish a new identity and demonstrate that last season was an aberration rather than the beginning of a longer decline.
Van Dijk Liverpool challenge therefore carries significance beyond a single season.
With a new manager, a reshaped squad and several senior departures, the captain’s call for accountability has become an important part of Liverpool’s attempt to begin again.
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The opportunity is clear, but so is the scale of the task. Liverpool must now turn Van Dijk’s blunt assessment of last season into a powerful response on the pitch.
