Virgil van Dijk confident of Liverpool response to Man City triumph as squad ‘not happy’

Liverpool: Klopp says team must improve for top-four finish

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Virgil van Dijk is hopeful of a ‘very good season’ for Liverpool in 2021/22 as the Reds aim for revenge on Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday evening following Manchester United’s defeat to Leicester City, claiming a third Premier League title in four years.

Liverpool were the last team to stop the Sky Blues from lifting the title, but it has been an extremely challenging campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s side this time around.

The Reds lost Van Dijk to injury in October and have suffered a number of other setbacks along the way to derail their season.

But the Dutch centre-back is expected to be back fit for the new season and is confident that Liverpool can respond well to their disappointing campaign.

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“We all know how the season has gone – and we’re not happy with how it’s gone,” he said during an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.com.

“It’s been frustrating for all of us, for all the Liverpool fans. With everything that is going on in the world and in the football world as well, personally it has been a very tough year, but I am looking forward to next season.

“I am looking forward to football hopefully with fans and with Holland, we will try to reach the next tournament and hopefully I can lead the boys there for a historical tournament, but we’re not there yet. It’s going to be a very, very hard but hopefully promising 18 months for club and country.”

Van Dijk has been stuck on the treatment table with fellow defenders Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for much of the season.

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Although this has caused serious damage to the Reds’ title hopes, the former Southampton man has explained the benefits of being surrounded by teammates during a challenging period.

“Yes, unfortunately we have been hit by a lot of injuries – a lot of injuries for senior players and that obviously doesn’t help. It doesn’t help for us, as a club, and for during the season. But hopefully that will be it for a long time.

“They definitely help, we help each other in a way. Whether it’s to bring an energy to each other because obviously we are in the gym a lot and we see the same things almost every day, so we try to keep each other motivated, keep each other going.

“All of us are in our last phase of our rehab, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. We’re all outside running and we see each other getting better, so that all helps. Hopefully from pre-season we can all be fit and work towards a very good season.”

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