Virgil van Dijk Declares Liverpool's Last Season Unacceptable

Virgil van Dijk has drawn a hard line in the sand on the eve of the new Premier League season, declaring last year’s Liverpool campaign “unacceptable” and warning there can be no repeat under new manager Andoni Iraola.

The Liverpool captain, about to start his 10th season at the club, spoke with a bluntness that matched the mood around Anfield after a bruising year in which the team fell from champions to also-rans.

Liverpool entered 2025/26 as kings of England. They finished it with 12 league defeats, 20 losses in all competitions and a fifth-place finish salvaged only on the final day, just enough to cling onto Champions League football. The damage cost Arne Slot his job within a week of the season ending.

Iraola, out of work after leaving Bournemouth, arrived swiftly on a two-year deal in early June. Pre-season has already hinted at a more daring, front-foot approach – exactly the kind of football Van Dijk wants to see.

“For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable,” the Netherlands defender said. “But that is last year. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans.”

The tone was clear: standards have to rise or players will be left behind.

“We all know how tough that will be but if you don't up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place,” he continued. “What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let's see how we go about it.

“But 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.”

Iraola’s Bournemouth side caught plenty of eyes last season with their energy and ambition. Van Dijk has taken note.

“If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting,” he said. “I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited. That's the aim, that’s what we fight for, but we all know how tough it is.

“We all know how tough it is to be playing Premier League football, to be playing on all four fronts, but you have to embrace it. You have to enjoy the ride. We are all so blessed here and we have to keep going and enjoy it and that's what I will do, and I encourage everyone to do that as well. That's what I keep saying to the boys as well so let's see.”

New era, new partner

The new season starts with a test: a trip to Newcastle United on Sunday, and a fresh look at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

Van Dijk is set to line up alongside a new centre-back partner as Iraola decides whether to throw £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet straight into Premier League action or lean on the experience of Ronald Araujo, who joined on loan from Barcelona earlier this month.

Either way, the captain knows the demands will be relentless across league, Europe and domestic cups.

“We need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts and that’s the only way to try to be successful,” Van Dijk said. “Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.”

Last year, Liverpool stumbled. This year, with a new manager, a new style and a captain in no mood for excuses, they are being told to run towards the fight.