Virgil van Dijk: “Let’s push each other, from the pitch to the stands”

Virgil van Dijk is eager for Liverpool’s players and fans to “push each other” when the team return to Anfield against Aston Villa in a bid to put a halt to their losing streak.

The Liverpool captain has lost only 28 times in the Premier League since joining the club, with 14.3 percent of those defeats coming in the last month.

There has been no shortage of words demanding to be better and be accountable for putting the defeats behind them, with Arne Slot, in particular, stressing there are reasons but not excuses.

Ahead of a must-win against Aston Villa, Van Dijk used his programme notes to acknowledge Liverpool’s performance level sets the tone for Anfield, but that players and fans can “push each other” to be at their respective best.

On the task of securing three points, Van Dijk penned: “It starts with us and our performance levels, of course, but believe me when I say that you guys can play your part tonight also.

“We are going to need that atmosphere, that noise and that support for sure.

“I have said many times before that, in my opinion, there is no better place to play football than at Anfield for Liverpool, especially a night game.

“It is a privilege that none of us players will ever take for granted, and something we will always look forward to, believe me.

“So let’s enjoy the privilege once more. Let’s push each other, from the pitch to the stands, and let’s do the only thing we can do in a situation like this.

“Head down, work hard, stick together and get back on track.”

“Everyone, myself included, has to stand up and be counted”

While it is time for Liverpool to do their speaking on the pitch, Van Dijk was right to say that everyone “has to stand up and be counted” if results are to change.

He stressed: “I can assure you that everyone in this dressing room understands the challenge facing us, and that we are all working as hard as we possibly can to turn things around.

“None of us likes what is happening, but believe me when I say I have full confidence in the quality and character of this team.

“I see the work that is being put in on a daily basis, and the ability of our players, but now we have to go out there and show it on the pitch. Everyone, myself included, has to stand up and be counted.

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