Van Dijk adamant a lot needs to happen behind the scenes at Liverpool this summer

He said: “We have the quality to hurt any opponent but sometimes it also goes with a combination of the mindset … 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 in it against the best teams in Europe.

“You have to take responsibility. It’s just life. 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 whatsoever. 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 do be done behind the scenes.”

These words carry the authority of a leader who understands both the expectations and the consequences of underperformance. Improvement, in Van Dijk’s view, is not optional but essential. It must be systemic, extending beyond the pitch into recruitment, preparation and internal standards.

Balance between rest and performance questioned

One narrative that has gained traction is the perception that Liverpool’s squad has not been pushed hard enough, with images of players enjoying downtime feeding external criticism. Van Dijk rejects that interpretation, offering context that suggests the reality is far more nuanced.

He said: “A few days off? You mean one day off? 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 can decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult. This week we have an early kick-off on Saturday. So preparation is on that. Yesterday we were in a hotel. Today we played. So two days away from the family again. It’s not that we have a holiday whatsoever.

“I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving 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 for why we are not getting results.”

This defence highlights a key tension in modern football. Recovery and performance are intertwined, yet results often dictate perception. For Liverpool, the challenge is not simply about workload but about translating preparation into consistent output.

Summer rebuild crucial for Liverpool future

Looking ahead, the emphasis is firmly on regeneration. Van Dijk’s reference to work behind the scenes suggests a summer of recalibration, where tactical adjustments, squad depth and psychological resilience will all come under scrutiny.

Liverpool’s identity has been built on intensity, cohesion and relentless standards. This season has exposed cracks in each of those pillars. Improvement will require more than incremental tweaks. It demands decisive action and a collective reset.

For supporters and stakeholders, the expectation is clear. Liverpool must respond not with rhetoric but with measurable progress. Van Dijk’s candid assessment provides a foundation for that response, setting the tone for what could be a defining period in the club’s trajectory.