Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: We know exactly what is required from us

The Reds host Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime in their 36th fixture of the Premier League campaign.

Currently sitting fourth in the standings, Van Dijk and his teammates could confirm a place in the 2026-27 Champions League this weekend.

The easiest path to securing that spot is beating the Blues in L4 and then hoping AFC Bournemouth fail to pick up three points at Fulham a few hours later.

"This is our penultimate home game of the season, and we know exactly what is required from us as a team," the captain writes in the matchday programme.

"We have a duty to perform whenever we play for this club, but especially at Anfield, and we are all determined to give you guys something to enjoy and to shout about on Saturday.

"To lose in the manner we did at Old Trafford last weekend was very disappointing, especially having worked so hard to get back into the game.

"The first half was tough and we know that we were a long way short of the standards required, but after getting to 2-2 we knew we had a chance to go on and win the game. So to then concede the third goal and come away with nothing was a tough one to take.

"In many ways that has been the story of our season; we just haven't been able to build any kind of momentum. We have had some good spells in games, some good wins even, but we haven't been able to follow those up and really create some consistency.

"That is extremely frustrating for everyone associated with the club because, as we all know, consistency is the hallmark of successful teams. We keep going, though. We keep working and we stick together.

"We know we still have a job to do to secure Champions League qualification for next season, and we want to do that as soon as possible. We have three games left to play, and we want to win them all, starting on Saturday.

"Chelsea, like ourselves, have found it difficult at times this season, but we know that they possess a lot of talent in their squad.

"They will be motivated after a disappointing result of their own last weekend, and we know we will need to be at our best if we want to get the three points.

"Like I say, that is our target, nothing more. This has been a very disappointing season – an unacceptable one, in my opinion – but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. That is not what Liverpool is about.

"We are all frustrated of course, but we want to try to finish on a positive note, secure that Champions League spot and give you guys at least something to take away from a tough campaign."

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