Virgil van Dijk states Liverpool must not feel sorry after a 3-2 defeat at Manchester United, describing the campaign as unacceptable. With three Premier League fixtures left, Arne Slot’s side are fourth, and Champions League qualification for next season remains uncertain, raising pressure on players and staff.

Liverpool fought back from two goals down at Old Trafford before losing late, a result that lifted Manchester United into the Champions League places. That setback kept Liverpool on 11 league defeats, an unusually high total for defending champions, and left little margin for error during the final weeks.

Van Dijk made clear that the squad cannot hide behind explanations or feel unhappy for long. As reported by BBC Sport, Van Dijk said: “I’m not here to make excuses, Van Dijk said, as reported by BBC Sport. 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 notLiverpool.”

The 3-2 reverse added to a worrying record for the title holders in this Premier League campaign. Liverpool now have 11 league losses, while Leicester City were the last defending champions to lose more matches, with 18 defeats during the 2016-17 season, underlining the sharp drop in results.

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This latest setback followed a summer in which Liverpool invested heavily after winning the title last season. The club tried to strengthen the squad for another challenge at the top of the Premier League, yet results have fallen short, leaving Champions League football and the associated revenue still on the line.

Van Dijk reflected on the defeats and stressed that the standards of defending champions have not been reached. Van Dijk said: “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, Van Dijk added. 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. 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.”

The captain highlighted that Champions League qualification affects both finance and prestige at Liverpool. The club wants regular matches against Europe’s strongest teams, and the final three Premier League games now decide that goal. Van Dijk stressed that responsibility lies with the squad, which must respond without delay.

Van Dijk also pointed toward significant internal work once international duty at the World Cup ends. Behind-the-scenes planning will be needed to lift performances next season. Despite admitting this campaign has been tough, Van Dijk underlined commitment to stay present on good days and bad for Liverpool.

As the season enters its closing stage, Liverpool remain within the top four yet under pressure from rivals. The defeat at Manchester United increased scrutiny on Arne Slot and the players, and Van Dijk’s words framed the final fixtures as a test of resolve, standards, and long-term direction for the club.