Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, acknowledged that the "Reds" are in an unbearable state and reflected on the day they defeated Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
On 10 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, criticized the team's performance this season as "unacceptable" after a series of disappointing results. However, he remains confident the team can create a miracle in the UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, despite having lost 0-2 away.
Van Dijk referenced the famous comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 semifinals as proof that incredible nights can always happen at Anfield.
"At that time, we faced one of the best teams in Europe, which included one of the greatest players of all time, and we also had injury problems," he said.
"And now we are up against the best team in Europe, the reigning European champions. So I think it’s similar in the sense that, on paper, no one gave us a chance."
"It starts with self-belief, the confidence we get from the manager, the right game plan, and the intensity we must bring from the first to the last second. If you want to achieve something, you have to show desire and commitment. That’s the minimum you must do as a Liverpool player."
Despite his confidence in staging a comeback, Van Dijk did not shy away from criticizing Liverpool’s overall performance this season. The "Reds" have lost 17 matches across all competitions, a figure he said is unacceptable for a club of this stature.
"It’s unacceptable. It’s a painful truth, and that’s why it’s so disappointing and hard to handle. Everything has an end, including my time here at some point. But right now, the reality is we lack consistency, we lose too often, and while we have some good moments, we cannot maintain the standard."