Soccer
Virgil van Dijk insisted “everyone is up for the challenge” in Liverpool’s squad, and he vowed to make amends for an “unacceptable” campaign last season.
Liverpool begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign this Sunday away to Newcastle United, with Andoni Iraola taking charge of his first competitive match for the Reds.
Iraola’s appointment came this summer after Liverpool decided to part ways with Arne Slot just 12 months on from leading the club to their 20th top-flight title.
The Reds finished fifth last season and only secured a spot in the Champions League on the final day with a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.
Liverpool’s 60 points were the lowest by a side to finish fifth or higher in the Premier League since Tottenham in 2006-07 (also fifth with 60 points).
Indeed, it’s the joint-lowest ever by a side to qualify for the Champions League via their league position in the competition, alongside the Reds themselves in 2003-04.
And with a series of changes happening over the summer, with stalwarts Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah leaving along with Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk said Liverpool’s new-look side are ready for the challenges that lie ahead of them.
“For me personally, being a Liverpool player last year was unacceptable,” Van Dijk told the club’s website.
“But that is last year. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans.
“We all know how tough that will be, but if you [are not] up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge.
“Let’s see how we go about it. But I’m really looking forward to this season and I don’t think we have a point to prove to anyone.
“We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool.”
VVD’s season preview: ‘Everyone is up for the challenge’
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 20, 2026
Liverpool endured a mixed pre-season, which started with plenty of promise after putting together back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Wrexham.
Defeats to Leeds United and Monaco followed, but they rounded out their preparations with a 2-0 win over Como at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Jacquet on target.
“If you look at Bournemouth last year [under Iraola], I think they were pretty exciting,” Van Dijk added.
“I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit and hopefully win a lot of games, then we can be very excited.
“That’s the aim, that’s what we fight for, but we all know how tough it is.
“We all know how tough it is to be playing Premier League football, to be playing on all four fronts, but you have to embrace it. You have to enjoy the ride.
“We are all so blessed here and we have to keep going and enjoy it and that’s what I will do, and I encourage everyone to do that as well.
“That’s what I keep saying to the boys as well, so let’s see.”
Liverpool are unbeaten in their first Premier League match in the last 13 seasons (W10 D3) since losing 3-0 to West Brom in 2012-13.
It’s the longest ongoing run and longest since Chelsea went 18 seasons without losing the opener between 1999-00 and 2016-17.
The Reds also have not lost any of their last nine Premier League games against Newcastle at St. James’ Park (W6 D3) and could equal the longest unbeaten run by a team away to the Magpies in the competition.
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