Van Dijk calls for unity after Liverpool’s third straight defeat

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his teammates to stay united and focused after their third consecutive defeat, following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Premier League champions had already suffered setbacks against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, marking a rare dip in form.

Saturday's defeat meant that Arne Slot has lost three games in a row in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career.

Van Dijk, however, remains confident that Slot’s side can recover their title-winning rhythm — but only through hard work and togetherness.

“It is not that easy. Obviously [new players adjusting] plays a part as well, but that shouldn’t be the only focus. It is a combination of everything," Van Dijk said.

“It is down to us to work to turn this around and find consistency — to not concede goals, to score goals, to create, to not give up chances against us.

“Everything was positive and everyone was happy last season, and now we have a little blip, if you want to call it that. We need everyone more than ever to support us and be there for us.”

Liverpool's captain, who lifted the title last season, has joined up with the Netherlands squad for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Finland. 

“Every three or four days is another opportunity, after the international break, to find that momentum and consistency,” he added.

“I’ve been at the club for such a long time — there have been many difficult situations, and we got out of them. The only thing we can do is focus on the next opportunity and work on it.”

Van Dijk has featured in every game for the Reds in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season, but they have kept a clean sheet in just two of their 10 games across all competitions. 

“When we come back, we have a very big game against Manchester United. It’s an opportunity again to show what we showed last year — the reason we became champions.

“Now we need to get to that point again,” he added. “Work is the basis of it — finding consistency and sticking together.”