LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk insists he “fully trusts” the club to make the right decisions when it comes to the final week of the transfer window.
Since Andoni Iraola arrived, Liverpool have signed only Ronald Araujo (loan) and Victor Munoz to the squad, adding to the pre-agreed arrival of Jeremy Jacquet.
Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh are the headline names Liverpool are in talks with before the window closes next Tuesday, though many can argue the Reds’ needs are greater than that.
But the club captain told reporters after the draw at Newcastle that he has ‘full trust’ in the club and the board to “make the right decisions,” but either way there can be zero excuses.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Everyone wants to see quality arrive regardless,” Van Dijk told reporters, including the Liverpool Echo.
“I fully trust the club and the board to make the right decisions. That’s the only thing I can say.
“Let’s see what they do. Regardless of what happens, we are Liverpool, and we have to give everything.”
Virgil van Dijk calls for squad response after “unacceptable” season
The draw at St James’ Park opened familiar discussions around the squad and performances, and Van Dijk stressed that Liverpool only have something to prove to themselves.
After a “very unacceptable” year, the captain knows the responsibility of making this season a success, though he accepts it will take some time to adjust as a new-look team.
“For us, we have to show a reaction from last year,” Van Dijk started. “We have nothing to prove to the outside world, in my opinion. It is to ourselves.
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“The way we train, the way we approach games, it is down to us to show a reaction.
“Last year it was very unacceptable, but that was last year. I don’t want to talk about that – we are looking forward and looking to improve.
“Hopefully next week it will be very close to what [Iraola] wants us to do. Like I say, we work on it every day.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong (R) speaks to referee Stuart Atwell (L) during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong (R) speaks to referee Stuart Atwell (L) during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We do long hours on the training ground, and that will only benefit all of us, including our loyal and trusted supporters.
“It is so early in the season that if we start panicking regardless of what could have happened today, then we won’t be in a good place.
“It is down to us to make sure we improve quickly, and that is what we try to do on the training ground. There were some good things, but also things that we have to improve.
“I think if we have to answer questions from the outside world, I don’t think that’s on us. What we have to do as players at Liverpool Football Club is be much better than we were last year.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“That is the responsibility everyone has to feel. Obviously, there are some changes that are happening in the club, and that is clearly visible.
“Some players have left, some players have come to the club, and it is down to us to be as good as we can as soon as possible, and challenge on all four fronts, hopefully as soon as possible.
“I think it is absolutely normal in any type of profession or work that if you come in new and you have new plans and ideas that it takes a bit of time.
“It is down to us to do it as soon as we can. We want to improve. We want to win. We want to do better. That is what we are going to try and do from tomorrow.”
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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