Virgil van Dijk has branded the campaign “unacceptable” after Liverpool slipped to an 18th defeat in all competitions following their loss to Manchester United.
The centre-back admitted major changes are needed behind the scenes if the club are to avoid another disappointing defence of the Premier League title under Arne Slot.
“I’m not here to make excuses,” Van Dijk said.
“It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.
“We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool.”
The 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, inflicted by Michael Carrick’s side, came just days after a three-match winning run in the league. Yet it marked the champions’ 11th league defeat of their title defence. The last reigning champions to lose more were Leicester City, who suffered 18 losses in the 2016-2017 campaign.
Liverpool still need up to four points from their final three matches to confirm qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
“I think it’s unacceptable that we have lost too many times as defending champions of the Premier League and we shouldn’t accept it,” said Van Dijk.
“There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season. When I am back from the World Cup I will go into it, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes.”
The Dutch captain expressed his commitment to the club despite the difficult campaign.
He said, “I care so much about this club. I know that it has been a tough season, but I will always be there in good and bad days.
“But we have three games left and the realisation has to come from ourselves, as a group and as players, to make sure that we are in the Champions League because of the impact of it for the financial side for the club. But also because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe.
“It’s not easy. But we keep going.”
