Virgil van Dijk has declared that there is “a lot of work to do be done behind the scenes,” in a worrisome verdict for Liverpool.
After the 19th defeat of the season, Liverpool’s captain again fronted the press at Old Trafford, and again was left to lament a disappointing performance and result.
He hit back at claims Liverpool had a “few days off” in the buildup to their 3-2 loss, insisting the team “are not kids. Everyone is an adult.”
Van Dijk was equally insistent that he wasn’t there “to make excuses,” though he did allude to the growing concerns behind the scenes, which he will “go into” after the World Cup.
“There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season,” he told reporters, including the Guardian.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk (R) react after the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. PSG won 4-0 on aggregate. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“When I am back from the World Cup, I will go into it,” he added. “But there is a lot of work to do be done behind the scenes.”
It is the latest nod to issues that are unfolding behind closed doors, which Mo Salah also hinted at during his various interviews last week as he discussed his concern for the club’s culture.
That there is seemingly “a lot” to do over the summer is also concerning due to the fact it is a World Cup summer, which is expected to see at least 13 players report late for pre-season.
Whether Arne Slot is still in charge or not, it reduces the time the team can resolve the issues that plagued them throughout the current campaign, and their efforts to evolve to catch up to their rivals.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Friday, March 6, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates with team-mate Andy Robertson (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Molineux. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s pre-season is expected to start at the AXA Training Centre at the beginning of July, with a trip to the United States to follow for three friendlies at the end of the month.
There is also the leadership vacuum that could see Salah, Andy Robertson and Alisson all leave in a single summer, emphasising the need for others to step up, as Van Dijk previously voiced.
“The leadership boys are falling apart – in terms of players leaving – so players have to step up and see what the guys making the decisions are going to do,” he said last month.
“But I’m pretty sure everyone has the right intentions to make us, as a club, competitive and hopefully not have a season like we’re having this season again.”
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