Not Kids! Virgil van Dijk responds to Liverpool players ‘holiday’ claim

Virgil van Dijk has refutes claims that Liverpool players have been prioritising holidays over hard work following their demoralising 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Michael Carrick’s Red Devils put in an impressive display to book a place in next season Champions League as Liverpool continue their inconsistency this season.

Liverpool now face a huge task to secure a top-four finish under Arne Slot as Van Dijk labels the current campaign “unacceptable”.

Following the defeat at Old Trafford, reports suggested that Slot allowed his players a period of rest following the win against Crystal Palace, leading some to question if the intensity was lacking in the build-up to the Manchester United clash.

However, Van Dijk was quick to dismiss the narrative that the squad is not focused, insisting that personal time is a necessary part of the modern game.

Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United scores their side’s second goal as Virgil van Dijk watches on. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

“I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip,” the Dutchman explained, as quoted by BBC Sport. “But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult. I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving City three days off the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance. I can understand if people think we are not training and when results are not there it could be a reason for why we are not getting results.”

With eleven losses now recorded in the Premier League this season, Van Dijk admits it’s been a disappointing season.

Virgil van Dijk  reacts during the game against Manchester United. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk added. “It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool. I think it’s unacceptable that we have lost too many times as defending champions of the Premier League and we shouldn’t accept it.”

Liverpool will now have to play their heart out in the remaining games as the immediate priority for Arne Slots team remains securing Champions League football.

“We have three games left and the realisation has to come from ourselves, as a group and as players, to make sure that we are in the Champions League because of the impact of it for the financial side for the club,” said Van Dijk. “But also because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe. It’s not easy. But we keep going. Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job you do. But it is also the best way to be successful and get results. We have three more games, then the World Cup. We have to realise that next season, this season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable.”