Liverpool arrive at a demanding moment after suffering five defeats in the club\u2019s last six games. There has been speculation about Slot\u2019s job being under threat, but those suggestions have been played down and Liverpool\u2019s chiefs are said to still have “100% confidence” in the Dutchman.<\/p>\n
With fixtures arriving quickly, the club must respond at once. A Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace, a side that has troubled Liverpool recently, provides the next opportunity.<\/p>\n
In his prematch programme notes the captain pushed for a collective reaction. “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.<\/p>\n
“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\u2019t meet those expectations, you have to deal with what comes next. That\u2019s just how it is.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Van Dijk went on to reflect on recent results. “Saturday was extremely disappointing, of course,” Van Dijk continued. “Having done well over in Frankfurt in the Champions League , we wanted to try to build on that down at Brentford. Unfortunately, we weren\u2019t able to do so, and to lose in the manner we did was a tough one to take, no doubt about it.<\/p>\n
“The good thing about top-level football, though, is that there is always another game coming around quickly, another chance to put things right. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself, not when you are representing this football club.<\/p>\n
“Our reaction must start now. I\u2019ve said this many times previously, but everything starts with hard work, humility and togetherness. We are a team, and we must show that in both the good times and the not-so-good times. If we do, then I am confident we have the quality to get ourselves out of this difficult period.”<\/p>\n
Writing in his own programme notes, Slot echoed similar themes and acknowledged the gap between expectations and recent performances. “It goes without saying that our recent form has not reached the standards that you expect of us or that we expect of ourselves,” Slot penned. “This is, of course, a major disappointment, especially given the positive start we made to the season.<\/p>\n
“From our perspective, there are no excuses. Yes, we are aware of the reasons and we will discuss them, but the one thing we cannot and will not do is use them as an excuse. Our responsibility is to recognise what is happening and put things right. There is no other option.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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