Virgil van Dijk brands Liverpool’s last season ‘unacceptable’ as Iraola rebuild begins

Virgil van Dijk has challenged Liverpool to prove they are significantly better than the team that finished fifth in the Premier League last season, describing that campaign as “unacceptable” by the club’s standards.

Liverpool began the new season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Newcastle United and now prepare to face Nottingham Forest in Andoni Iraola’s first competitive match at Anfield.

Van Dijk accepts Liverpool will need time to fully adapt to their new manager, but insists the squad are working hard to accelerate that process.

Writing in his pre-match programme notes, the Liverpool captain made clear that another season like the previous one cannot be accepted.

“You don’t need me to tell you that last season was tough, unacceptable in my opinion,” Van Dijk said.

“We are better than that, much better in fact, and now we need to show it.”

Liverpool finished fifth last season, leaving Iraola with the task of returning the club towards the top of the Premier League.

Van Dijk believes adapting quickly to the Spaniard's methods will be crucial.

“When you have a new coach with new plans and new ideas, it is always going to take a bit of time to put those into practice,” he said.

“But it is down to us to do that as quickly as we can.”

Van Dijk revealed that Liverpool's players have been working intensely on Iraola's ideas at the training ground.

The 35-year-old says improving consistency is a major priority as Liverpool attempt to establish a new identity under their head coach.

“We are working extremely hard every day on the training ground, because we all want to improve, we want to be better and more consistent,” Van Dijk explained.

“We want to win, ultimately. At Liverpool, that should always be the aim.”

There were already encouraging moments at Newcastle, where Liverpool twice recovered from falling behind to earn a point.

Van Dijk praised the character shown by his teammates, although he was disappointed with the goals they conceded.

Liverpool now face a Forest side targeting a third consecutive Premier League victory at Anfield.

Van Dijk is under no illusion about the challenge awaiting Iraola's team.

“This will be another tough game, make no mistake,” he said. “We know how dangerous Nottingham Forest can be.”

The defender believes the foundations for victory must be togetherness, hard work, desire and commitment before Liverpool's individual quality can make the difference.

After last season's disappointment, Saturday provides the first opportunity for Liverpool to demonstrate at Anfield that a new chapter has begun.

Iraola will take charge of his first competitive game at Anfield when Liverpool host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

For Van Dijk, the objective is clear: Liverpool must translate their work on the training ground into more consistent performances and begin proving that last season's fifth-place finish was an exception rather than their new level.