Liverpool return to Anfield tonight on the back of a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Despite their poor domestic form, the Reds have been on great form in the Champions League, winning three out of four matches, including both home games against Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
Van Dijk wants to send a message
The Anfield crowd will expect a reaction on Wednesday night as Van Dijk leads the side into a European clash that could save manager Arne Slot from being let go by an increasingly frustrated board.
Speaking in his pre match notes, Van Dijk has called upon his side to make a statement as they seek to finally bounce back.
“Saturday’s defeat by Nottingham Forest was bad, a really tough day for us all, and the position we find ourselves in right now is not acceptable.
“Everyone has to step up and take responsibility, and show that they have the desire and the character to turn things around. At the moment, we are letting ourselves down, letting the manager down and letting you guys down, and we know that has to change.
“Like I say, it is on us to make that change, nobody else. We can talk about what’s going wrong and what we need to do, but it’s about actions, not words.
“Each and every one of us has to first look in the mirror and then, as a team, we have to come together to show that we are better than this, stronger than this.
“It all starts with the basics; hard work, a willingness to fight for every first ball, every second ball, to compete in every duel, to block shots and win challenges. We have to do all of those things as a team. It is the only way.”
Fans have become frustrated
Six defeats in seven Premier League matches have put an end to Liverpool’s title hopes but they still have hope in Europe as they seek to climb the group once more. Van Dijk sent one final message to fans who he knows have grown frustrated.
“I know you guys are frustrated with the way things are at the moment and I understand that frustration. As I say, I take responsibility for what has been going on and everyone else needs to as well. We can’t ignore the reality of the situation.
“But we are back at Anfield this evening, against a good team in PSV Eindhoven and we will need your support and your backing as much as ever.
“I know that we can count on that and hopefully we can put the weekend behind us, show our togetherness and our fighting spirit and give you guys something to shout about once more.”