Van Dijk eager to make use of earlier setbacks as motivation to win titles with Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk believes the setbacks of final season can function motivation for Liverpool to push for trophies in 2025.

The Reds endured a disappointing finish to their earlier marketing campaign, ending third within the Premier League after falling out of rivalry within the title race and exiting the Europa League on the quarter-final stage.

This time period, nevertheless, Liverpool are in a a lot stronger place. They at the moment lead the Premier League by six factors and boast an ideal report within the Champions League.

Van Dijk spoke of the staff’s calm and targeted method, crediting their work ethic and collective mindset as they proceed to compete on a number of fronts beneath Arne Slot.

“I feel it’s a must to be taught from tough moments and moments that don’t go your means,” he stated following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Lille.

“Many of the guys within the dressing room now have skilled final yr and that ought to make you higher, make you conscious of cope with sure conditions and circumstances, and you ought to be higher outfitted. Let’s see.

Securing our spot within the final 16 ✅✨ pic.twitter.com/lNQNouysss

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 21, 2025

“In the meanwhile I’m our staff and we’re very calm, we’re working our socks off every day, every sport, and we want everybody match, wholesome and in kind and that’s the intention.

“Going into each sport with the mentality it’s game-by-game. That’s the way it’s at all times been the case. It’s a pleasant journey, I feel it’s best to take pleasure in it as properly and I’ll positively do it.

Liverpool’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Brentford head coach Thomas Frank lately described the Reds because the “greatest staff on the planet,” a declare backed up by Lille striker Jonathan David.

For Van Dijk, such reward is a testomony to the staff’s efforts. “I feel it type of offers affirmation we’re heading in the right direction,” he added.

“We work in each sport so exhausting to be a really tough staff to beat.

“When different managers are providing you with reward for not solely the way in which you assault however defend in addition to a gaggle and the our bodies you get again behind the ball that’s solely signal and credit score to all of the exhausting work every and everybody has been placing in. That’s the one factor we should always take from it and aside from that it’s simply focussing on doing it and staying constant.”