Virgil van Dijk has thrown down a clear challenge to Liverpool’s existing squad and the club’s transfer targets after losing key figures this summer.
Off the back of a tumultuous season, Liverpool now have to plot a path without two key leaders and examples in Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.
While Alisson now looks set to stay and see out the final year of his deal to stem the loss, Liverpool’s dressing room still has to issue a response after a season to forget.
Van Dijk shouldered a lot of the responsibility throughout the campaign, but has now thrown down the challenge to his teammates, Arne Slot and the club’s new signings to take responsibility.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson is greeted by Alexis Mac Allister and captain Virgil van Dijk as he is substituted off for the final time during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking in the club’s latest issue of the ‘Walk On’ magazine, the captain was asked if the players who arrived last summer will have a greater influence in 2026/27.
His response was as you would expect, forthright: “I think it is an opportunity for other players to step up. It is not just an opportunity, it has to happen and it will happen. I’m not worried about that.
“It’s just taking responsibility. I think we have plenty of players that have those traits in them.
“And it’s now down to them and down to the manager to make sure it comes out, take their responsibility and enjoy it and embrace it as well because it’s an absolute privilege to lead and to feel that responsibility for this football club.”
Virgil van Dijk: New team needs to quickly understand what it means to play for Liverpool
As for any concern about the impact of losing key leaders, Van Dijk spoke of the need for the club to add to the squad, but also for everyone to understand “what it means to play for Liverpool.”
“The players we’ve got, in my eyes, are great players with a lot of quality,” Van Dijk explained.
“But I’ve often said that to play for Liverpool, you need more than just quality on the pitch. And that’s something you have to grow into.
“So I expect, especially those players who joined us in the summer, they can make another next step and can be even more important to us.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah hugs team-mate Virgil van Dijk as he is substituted off on his final appearance during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026.
“And yes, I think we’ll have to get even more players this summer to replace players like Mo and Robbo.
“So then it’s about putting together a team that understands as quickly as possible what it means to play for Liverpool – to do everything you can to win prizes.”
The captain took a lot of the responsibility this season when things were not going well, and it is evident he is ready for the next group of leaders to emerge during the final year of his contract.
Liverpool will expect to lose Alisson and Van Dijk next summer, unless further terms are agreed, and it is on the existing squad, head coach and club to oversee the next group of standard-setters.