The Reds have lost five of their last six matches across all competitions and have become just the fourth reigning champions to suffer four consecutive defeats in a Premier League season after their defeat to Brentford last weekend.
One of those defeats came against Crystal Palace, who they reunite with in the EFL Cup this week as they seek to progress to the quarter-final. It is fair to say Liverpool have been dire and a win against The Eagles is imperative to keep morale up and their trophy hopes alive.
Speaking in his pre match notes, Van Dijk sent a message to his side, who he says has to step up and bounce back against Palace.
“My message ahead of this game is a simple one: we stick together, no matter what,” Van Dijk wrote. “We know that this is a difficult moment. We know that results and performances are not what we want them to be, and that will lead to pressure, scrutiny and criticism from the outside. We accept that.
“When you play for a club like Liverpool, it comes with certain standards and expectations. So when you fall short of those standards and don’t meet those expectations, you have to deal with what comes next. That’s just how it is.
“And then you have to show the right reaction. You have to look at yourself, show strength and character, work hard and find a way to bounce back. That is exactly what we will be looking to do this evening.”
Having fallen seven points below Arsenal in the league, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will see the EFL Cup as a great way to get his hands on some early silverware if the league does slip away from him. Slot is under pressure to transform his side's fortunes, and a loss could push the board towards a potential sacking.