EPL: Van Dijk calls on Liverpool to bounce back from bad season

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has told his team to fix their “unacceptable” performances from last season.

The Reds finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League and did not win any trophies in a poor campaign that saw Arne Slot get sacked.

Just a year after winning the English title, Liverpool lost 19 of their 56 matches in all competitions and 12 of their 38 league games. This was only one loss short of the total they had in the previous three seasons combined.

They could not get past the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals and were knocked out of the League Cup in the fourth round.

Things got worse when Slot's relationship with Mohamed Salah fell apart. Salah claimed he was made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s problems.

Now, Dutch defender Van Dijk wants his teammates to wipe away the bitter taste of last season with a much better performance this time.

“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 brought in to bring back the high-intensity football that disappeared under Slot.

Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson have all left Anfield since last season ended, while Curtis Jones is set to join Inter Milan.

Spain winger Victor Munoz and Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet have joined on permanent deals, and Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has come in on loan.

After Iraola said during pre-season that the players were only fit enough to run for 30 minutes of a match, Van Dijk admitted Liverpool needs to find a way to avoid the injuries that troubled them last season.

Van Dijk hopes Iraola can get Liverpool playing with more energy and purpose than they did in Slot’s tough second season.

“If you look at Bournemouth last year, I think they were pretty exciting. I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, then we can be very excited,” Van Dijk said.

“We need everyone to be fit. We need a squad that can compete on all four fronts, and that’s the only way to try to be successful.

“Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.