NewsVirgil van Dijk: It's a tough moment - we have to give absolutely everything
“We have to get our heads down, stick together and give absolutely everything,” says Virgil van Dijk ahead of Liverpool hosting Fulham.
The Reds return to Anfield this evening on the back of three successive away defeats in the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Champions League.
In his matchday programme notes for the league meeting with the Cottagers, Van Dijk acknowledges a ‘tough moment’ for the club but insists it can only be put right by efforts on the pitch.
“It has been a difficult season for us all, for sure, and there is no shying away from the fact that the past few days have been particularly tough,” writes the captain.
“To lose in the manner we did against Manchester City was bad – unacceptable, in my opinion – and to go from that into another extremely difficult game against one of Europe’s best teams in Paris Saint-Germain was always going to be very challenging. So it proved.
“Losing a game hurts, no matter the circumstances, but what we can take from Wednesday night at least is that we showed fight and togetherness, and that there is still a second leg to be played in the tie. We need a special performance if we are to turn it around, of course, but with you guys behind us at Anfield, we have to believe.
“Before we can even think about that, though, we have another extremely important game to focus on as we take on a strong Fulham side.
“We know how big these final weeks of the season are. We have seven Premier League games left and we know exactly what is required if we want to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“So we have to get our heads down, stick together and give absolutely everything. Nothing else is acceptable at this football club.
“It starts, as I always say, with the basics: hard work, intensity, togetherness, a willingness to run and fight for everything. We need to turn up today with the right mindset, play as a team and be ready to give everything from the first second to get the result we need.
“That is what you guys expect and it is what we expect of ourselves also.
“We know that this is a tough moment for the club, a very tough moment. Everyone is frustrated, everyone is hurting and everyone is looking for answers. But we are the ones who have to come through it and start to turn it around, and the only place we can do that is on the pitch.
“No excuses. Let’s stick together and give it everything.”
- Get your copy of the programme at Anfield today or online here