Virgil van Dijk challenges Liverpool teammates as big Arne Slot decision looms
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Virgil van Dijk is hopeful that Liverpool can finish this season strongly before embarking on another important summer in which key men Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will departLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)It is amazing how much the mood can shift with just one victory. "The leadership boys are falling apart — in terms of players leaving — so players have to step up.READ MORE: Bayern Munich chief addresses Michael Olise 'discussions' after Liverpool transfer linksREAD MORE: How many points Liverpool needs to qualify for Champions League after Chelsea loss"[We'll] see what the guys making the decisions are going to do but I’m pretty sure everyone has the right intentions to make us, as a club, competitive and hopefully not have a season like we’re having this season again."Players have to step up.
You grow into that role, or you already have it in you; that is something players have to show even more next season."After the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager sees it as well. Then we have to tackle the season in the best way possible and not have a season like we have had this season again."Van Dijk scored the winner on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)This summer, as Van Dijk says, Liverpool will lose some major players in the locker room.
Five more games and the focus on what’s next and that’s the World Cup and then focus on a good holiday — because that’s needed — and then focus on pre-season and making next season successful."Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Liverpool's late victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was an important one in terms of it being a derby, but also in firming up its place in the Champions League spots.Since then, Chelsea has dropped more points, losing to Brighton, allowing the Seagulls to emerge as the closest contender for fifth place, now five points behind Liverpool."I think you come to the decisive period now," Van Dijk added.