Virgil van Dijk defends Liverpool teammates against criticism regarding their performance and the time off granted by coach Arne Slot. He insists that the players are not to blame for the team's poor form this season.
Key points
Virgil van Dijk defends Liverpool teammates
Criticism over players' time off
Arne Slot's role in managing player rest
Liverpool's fixture schedule has eased
Team's poor form this season
Mentioned in this story
Virgil van DijkFA CupUEFA Champions League
Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during a game
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has fought back against suggestions that the amount of time players have been afforded off this season has played a part in their poor form -Credit:Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
(Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk has come to the defense of the rest periods granted to Liverpool players by Arne Slot, maintaining they are not responsible for the Reds' underwhelming season.
With the Premier League champions' fixture list easing to a single game per week following their elimination from the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in April, Slot has been eager to afford his squad some downtime at the start of matchweeks.
Several players seized the opportunity to take a brief getaway last week before regrouping at the AXA Training Centre to intensify their preparations for Sunday's game at Manchester United, as per the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks on during a game
Arne Slot's side lost 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday -Credit:Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Such arrangements have been commonplace this season, with many taking advantage by heading off to various European destinations with their families.
However, a 3-2 loss at United - the Reds' 11th defeat of the season - has prompted some to question the wisdom of these breaks, particularly given how slow they were off the line at Old Trafford, where the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes.
Q&A
What did Virgil van Dijk say about Liverpool's performance?
Virgil van Dijk defended his teammates, stating they are not responsible for the team's poor form this season.
Who is Arne Slot and what is his role with Liverpool?
Arne Slot is the coach of Liverpool, and he has been granting the players rest periods to help manage their performance.
How has Liverpool's fixture schedule changed recently?
Liverpool's fixture schedule has eased to a single game per week after their elimination from the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Why are Liverpool players criticized for their recent form?
The criticism stems from suggestions that the time off granted to players has contributed to their underwhelming performance this season.
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Reds captain Van Dijk pushed back on the notion that the players are skimping on training, insisting they are professional and mature enough to handle things responsibly.
"I'm not sure it's a holiday," Van Dijk said. "It's a city trip. It was only one day [away]. 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. This week we have an early kick-off on Saturday [against Chelsea]. So preparation is on that. Yesterday we were in a hotel.
"Today we played. So two days away with 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 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 for why we are not getting results.
"Like anyone else, personally I want this to be solved. I want us to experience what I have had over my time here. I want us to be successful. I want to consistent with the team, winning games, 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.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during a game
Van Dijk sent a stern warning to his team after the Manchester United loss, stating, 'We have to realize next season this season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable' -Credit:Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
"We have three more games now then the World Cup. We have to realize next season this season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable."
Liverpool have now suffered 18 defeats across all competitions, not including the Community Shield penalty shootout loss to Crystal Palace back in August.
It marks the club's worst league run since the 2014/15 season, and Van Dijk refused to shy away from the unwelcome numbers, stating: "I'm not here to make excuses. It's been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season.
"We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to turn it around and make sure these things don't happen. It's not Liverpool.
"Every injury we have is a separate case. I don't think anyone can predict Alex Isak having a leg break. I don't think anyone can predict Wata (Wataru Endo) having a proper foot injury.
"I don't think you can predict Gio (Giovanni Leoni) having an ACL or Giorgi (Mamardashvili) having stitches just below his patella tendon. There are a couple of others as well.
"It's tricky. You know, having two goalkeepers out as well at once. But it's the situation. I can stand here and say that is the reason we are where we are but I wouldn't do that.
"It's down to us, all of us, to turn it around. After the season, we make sure that this doesn't happen."
