Virgil van Dijk refuses 'to make excuses' for 'unacceptable' season after Manchester United loss - 'It's not Liverpool'

Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo were all on target for The Red Devils at Old Trafford as they clinched victory after responses from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.

The loss was Liverpool's 18th across all competitions this season and their 11th in the Premier League under Arne Slot, who led them to the title in his debut season at Anfield last term.

Their captain, Van Dijk, has been reflecting on the season and insisted that there cannot be a repeat next campaign.

"I'm not here to make excuses," the defender said. "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 not Liverpool."

Leicester City in 2016/17 were the last reigning champions to lose at least 11 matches during their title defence, when they suffered 18 defeats to finish 12th that season.

Statistically, The Foxes have the worst defence in Premier League history. In terms of the fewest total points collected as Premier League champions, Liverpool are currently ranked third after Claudio Ranieri's side (44 points) and Chelsea in 2015/16 (50 points).

However, Liverpool have three matches to play and the chance to remove themselves from the conversation as one of the worst title defences of all time. Despite this, Van Dijk remains adamant that things have not been good enough.

"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," the Netherlands international 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 lesser good 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."

Liverpool have three matches to play as they look to secure UEFA Champions League qualification, starting with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

They may still require four points to secure a top-five spot for Champions League football, with plenty of teams hanging on for an outside shot.

Liverpool v Chelsea in the Premier League takes place on Saturday, May 9 at Anfield.

Kick-off is at 12:30 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max starting from 11:00.

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