Liverpool got the shock of their lives when they suffered a 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Van Dijk has backed his side to recover.
It was a day to forget last weekend for Liverpool as Aston Villa put up a seven-star display against the reigning champions. Even the ‘best defender’ in the world Virgil van Dijk was helpless to save his side.
The jury is out on the Reds as they go all out for their title defence. Last term, it was an easy stroll but this season is looking far from it.
Despite winning their first three games, Liverpool were not so dominant in their victories. Newly promoted Leeds gave them a run for their money in the seven-goal thriller that saw the Reds narrowly win that match.
Up next was a trip to Villa Park where they got humiliated on all fronts. After the game, Van Dijk claimed all Liverpool players must take responsibility for their loss.
Speaking further on that game, the Dutchman says everyone wants to see Liverpool lose after their title-winning campaign. Yet, he maintains that they’ll keep pushing to the best of their powers.
“I think trying to stay at the top is the hardest thing to do,” Van Dijk told Eddie Hearn’s ‘No Passion No Point’ podcast on BBC Sounds. “Everyone wants to see you fall when you reach the top.
“That is what life is about, especially these days. For me, I want to give everything I have got until I retire and then have no regrets after.”
“I don’t want any regrets afterwards, I think that would be the worst feeling you can have. It is going to be challenging times coming up.”
“We are champions – something that took a while.”
“We should enjoy the moment and go for it.”
Since Liverpool lifted the Premier League title, they are yet to play in front of fans at Anfield. The venue is a well-known fortress for the Reds and Van Dijk also spoke on how lack of fans have affected his side of late.
“The fans can play a massive part in difficult times during games and also at good times in games,” he added.
“When you concede the fans will lift you and when you score they make the opponent go further away from you.”
“It’s the same case for everyone, but for us in particular everyone knows how difficult it is to play at Anfield with the fans behind us. Hopefully, things can change as soon as possible because we need fans.”
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