Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, has described the club’s season as “unacceptable” after Arne Slot’s side suffered their 18th defeat in all competitions, following a 3-2 loss to Manchester United.
The Dutch defender said the team must improve significantly behind the scenes to avoid repeating what he called a disappointing Premier League campaign.
“I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk said.
“It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.
“We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool.”
Liverpool still need four points from their remaining three matches to secure Champions League qualification.
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The defeat at Old Trafford came after a short run of improved results in the league, but marked their 11th loss of the title defence.
The last reigning Premier League champions to lose more games in a season were Leicester in 2016-17, when they finished with 18 defeats.
“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,” Van Dijk said.
“There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season. When I am back from the World Cup, I will go into it, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes.”
He added that focus must now shift to finishing the season strongly and securing a place in Europe’s top competition.
The defender said, “I care so much about this club. I know that it has been a tough season, but I will always be there in good and lesser good days.
“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 because of the impact of it for the financial side for the club. But also because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe.
“It’s not easy. But we keep going.”
Van Dijk also addressed criticism over the team’s training schedule and suggestions of a lack of intensity during the season.
The players had one day off before the Manchester United game and are scheduled for another rest day before facing Chelsea.
When asked about claims that some players had travelled during a break, he responded: “I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip. But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.
“I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving [Manchester] City three days off the last weeks in a row, and they are doing pretty well. 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 why we are not getting results.”
Liverpool currently sits fourth in the table, 18 points behind leaders Arsenal.
“Like anyone else, personally, I want this to be solved,” Van Dijk said.
“I want us to experience what I have had over my time here. I want us to be successful. I want to be consistent with the team, winning games, and fighting. We want to get the job done.
“At the minute, we are just disappointed. Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job you do. But it is also the best way to be successful and get results.
“We have three more games, then the World Cup. We have to realise that next season, this season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable.”
