**Virgil van Dijk has laid down a challenge to everyone at Liverpool FC to ensure that the failures of the 2025/26 season aren’t repeated in Andoni Iraola’s first season in charge.**
_“For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable,”_ [van Dijk said](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/virgil-van-dijk-calls-liverpool-34488289#google_vignette).
_“But that is last year. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans._
_“And we all know how tough that will be but if you don’t up for the challenge, then you’re not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let’s see how we go about it._
_“But I’m really looking forward to this season and I don’t think we have a point to prove to anyone. We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool._
_“If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting._
_“I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited. That’s the aim, that’s what we fight for, but we all know how tough it is._
_“We all know how tough it is to be playing Premier League football, to be playing on all four fronts, but you have to embrace it. You have to enjoy the ride. We are all so blessed here and we have to keep going and enjoy it and that’s what I will do, and I encourage everyone to do that as well. That’s what I keep saying to the boys as well so let’s see.”_
Liverpool need to make multiple signings to back Andoni Iraola
--------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool spent £460m last summer, and I totally understand if the owners are not willing to spend as much this year, but there are so many glaring holes in this squad that it currently seems unfair to expect miracles from Andoni Iraola.
With Curtis Jones leaving, there is a massive issue in midfield if reports are true and Liverpool aren’t planning to replace him.
Until Bradley Barcola and another right-winger are signed, there are also questions lingering over the forward line’s ability to stay fresh, fit and firing for the whole season.
Hopefully Liverpool can get enough done in the last week and a half of the summer transfer window but it currently seems unlikely.