Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: We have to step up and take responsibility
Virgil van Dijk has called for a collective response as Liverpool strive to improve their form.
The Reds host PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at Anfield tonight (8pm GMT kick-off) and are looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.
In his notes for the official matchday programme, captain Van Dijk writes: “It goes without saying that we need to show a reaction this evening.
“Saturday’s defeat by Nottingham Forest was bad, a really tough day for us all, and the position we find ourselves in right now is not acceptable.
“Everyone has to step up and take responsibility, and show that they have the desire and the character to turn things around. At the moment, we are letting ourselves down, letting the manager down and letting you guys down, and we know that has to change.
“Like I say, it is on us to make that change, nobody else. We can talk about what’s going wrong and what we need to do, but it’s about actions, not words.
“Each and every one of us has to first look in the mirror and then, as a team, we have to come together to show that we are better than this, stronger than this.
“It all starts with the basics; hard work, a willingness to fight for every first ball, every second ball, to compete in every duel, to block shots and win challenges. We have to do all of those things as a team. It is the only way.
“We have to be harder to play against, for sure, because the amount of goals we have conceded so far this season is not good at all, and against [Nottingham] Forest again it was far too easy. But we also have to have the courage to play our own football, to stay calm and look to create chances, and to not let our heads drop when things go against us.
“In the Premier League and the Champions League, you can’t lose your composure, because the quality of opponent means that more often than not you will be punished.
“I know you guys are frustrated with the way things are at the moment and I understand that frustration. As I say, I take responsibility for what has been going on and everyone else needs to as well. We can’t ignore the reality of the situation.
“But we are back at Anfield this evening, against a good team in PSV Eindhoven and we will need your support and your backing as much as ever.
“I know that we can count on that and hopefully we can put the weekend behind us, show our togetherness and our fighting spirit and give you guys something to shout about once more.”
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