Liverpool might have led the way in which domestically and in Europe for a lot of this season however captain Virgil van Dijk is aware of within the last reckoning solely trophies matter.
This week’s Champions League last-16 exit to Paris St Germain on penalties – solely a fifth defeat in 46 aggressive video games below Arne Slot – was an enormous blow to a squad which has largely been leaving opponents trailing of their wake.
A 15-point lead within the Premier League means a second title in 5 years is inside touching distance however Sunday’s defence of their Carabao Cup title in opposition to Newcastle is a recreation the Reds must win or threat criticism over their season unravelling.
Once they stroll out at Wembley it will likely be precisely a 12 months and a day since it began to go improper in Jurgen Klopp’s last season, with defeat within the FA Cup quarter-finals adopted by exits from Europa League and the title race inside within the area of a month.
A uncommon Premier League title in Slot’s first season could be a outstanding achievement in itself however Van Dijk is aware of the expectations are at all times set larger than that.
“It’s fulfilling, however on the finish of the day, everyone knows the way it works within the enterprise,” he stated.
“You get judged at a membership like Liverpool at what you win on the finish of the highway and we have now to maintain working.
“I believe they (Newcastle) didn’t win a trophy for (70 years) so there’s plenty of motivation there.
“We clearly need to win so badly as properly. We labored so onerous to get the place we’re and clearly it’s the primary season along with the brand new regime and we need to present that we are able to win trophies.
“You’ll be able to’t management what anybody says. Somebody instructed me persons are saying that we’re solely going only for the league. This stuff, you may’t cease it.
“It’s a part of being a soccer participant, having so many platforms these days that folks can say no matter they need.
“You simply must shut down just a little bit, give attention to the duty forward as a group and attempt to win.”
In final 12 months’s last in opposition to Chelsea, Van Dijk scored the winner two minutes from the top of additional time to carry his first trophy as captain.
If the remainder of the season goes to plan he’ll add one other two to his document to enter the annals of membership historical past as a multiple-trophy profitable captain.
“When you had been to carry the 2 trophies you might have a reasonably good probability to be in a pleasant record of captains which have achieved nice issues on this membership,” stated the Dutchman.
“That’s clearly an enormous dream of mine, since I grew to become the captain of the membership.
“Clearly it’s an enormous hole that must be stuffed when your captain (Jordan Henderson) and your vice-captain (James Milner) are leaving, particularly with the characters they’re and the successes that we created collectively.
“However that’s a part of life as properly. Others must step up and the gamers which are nonetheless right here – the senior guys – have stepped up, everybody has performed their half in an effort to achieve success.”
