Van Dijk: 'Hearing them talk, you'd think Liverpool is about to be relegated!'

Following a disappointing run of matches, defender Virgil van Dijk strongly defended Liverpool, calling the criticism against the team “unreasonable” and affirming that the squad remains fully committed and motivated.

Liverpool ended their streak of four consecutive Premier League losses with a convincing 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch not only restored “The Reds’” confidence but also proved they still have the strength to compete at the highest level.

Previously, coach Arne Slot’s team faced heavy criticism following defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brentford. Many argued the team was losing its identity and fighting spirit, even doubting their ability to defend the title.

This win also marked the first clean sheet for the Anfield side since September, providing valuable confidence ahead of a tough schedule: upcoming clashes with Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League next week.

After the match, Van Dijk openly expressed frustration with negative comments from the media and fans. He told TNT Sports: “Even when things go well, we must keep fighting and not become complacent. The past weeks have been full of noise beyond our control. Many opinions are truly unreasonable, but we have to learn to deal with them.”

Van Dijk emphasized that Liverpool players always play with the desire to win, even if results don’t always go their way. He added: “We don’t play to lose or disappoint our supporters. Everyone wants to win; the Premier League is the toughest competition in the world, and nothing is guaranteed..”

The 33-year-old defender also criticized how the media exaggerates internal issues within the club. Van Dijk bluntly said: “Last season we made mistakes too, but people still spoke about Liverpool positively. Now, hearing them talk, it’s as if we’re fighting relegation, which is ridiculous.”

The victory over Aston Villa not only earned valuable points but also temporarily eased the pressure surrounding Liverpool. More importantly, it confirmed that “The Reds” still possess the resilience and fighting spirit that helped them become champions last season.