Virgil van Dijk has strengthened Arne Slot's want for extra silverware for the brand new season by insisting that retaining the Premier League title is “the naked minimal” for Liverpool.
The champions will get a ultimate tune-up for his or her defence when Sunday's Group Defend pits them towards Crystal Palace and the membership's captain was in a bullish temper in an interview on the club's website.
Slot has been busy strengthening a squad that received the league by 10 factors and Van Dijk says that after a spree of virtually £300m on new gamers, there will probably be no lack of depth when the season begins towards Bournemouth on Friday.
“You're going into the season with targets that you simply need to compete for each trophy that you simply take part in. I feel that's the naked minimal for a membership like Liverpool,” stated Van Dijk. “It's going to be very robust however we've been by means of very robust instances anyway and I'm actually wanting ahead to it. I'm wanting ahead to each little bit of it.
“We're all on this collectively and that's the way it needs to be. Us as a gaggle with gamers, employees however along with our followers, we've to go collectively into this and assist one another and be there for one another within the good and lesser-good days.”
Van Dijk spoke of his want to depart an enduring impression at Anfield. “Any success with Liverpool, that feeling is unbelievable. That's what you play soccer for. You need to be leaving a legacy behind, you need to be remembered, you need to encourage the subsequent technology in every thing you do.
“We're at a membership the place legends will probably be remembered and honoured and at all times be welcomed again. It's an incredible feeling and an incredible feeling that we had been a part of that time period, however we nonetheless are a part of the membership and need to achieve success.”
Van Dijk is – alongside teammates Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz – included on the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist. Salah, final season's Premier League Participant of the Season and FWA Footballer of the 12 months, stated: “Being a legend at a membership, particularly like Liverpool, is such an excellent factor. It reveals you that you simply labored very exhausting and achieved issues which can be tough for individuals to attain. I'm grateful for one thing like that.”
“It's good if you can begin the season with the prospect of successful one thing,” Slot stated. “Usually it's important to play quite a few video games earlier than you'll be able to win one thing.
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“If it's the League Cup, FA Cup, not to mention [the] Premier League or Champions League, usually you win one thing ultimately of the season. Now we've an opportunity to win one thing to start with of the season.”
