Some of Those Takes Are Absolutely Ridiculous’: Virgil van Dijk Fires Back After Liverpool End Losing Streak

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has come out swinging after the Reds finally halted their alarming run of defeats with a 2–0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. The Dutch defender didn’t mince words as he criticized the “ridiculous” outside noise surrounding the club during their poor spell, insisting the reaction had been blown out of proportion — as if Liverpool were “in a relegation battle.”

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After a string of damaging results, including four straight league losses, the Reds produced a composed and disciplined performance on Saturday evening, earning Arne Slot his first victory in nearly a month and restoring some much-needed belief ahead of a crucial European showdown with Real Madrid.

Liverpool End Losing Streak in Style

The win was powered by goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, whose strikes in each half sealed the three points. It was a timely response from a Liverpool side that had been under mounting pressure after a torrid eight-game stretch featuring defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, Brentford, and Galatasaray.

The victory not only stopped the rot but also marked a visible return to Liverpool’s trademark intensity — with Van Dijk marshalling the back line superbly and Salah once again proving decisive in front of goal.

For Slot, who has faced growing scrutiny over his tactical rotations and team selections, the result offered breathing space and a chance to reset before a defining Champions League week.

Salah and Gravenberch were on target as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2–0 at Anfield.

Van Dijk: “The Outside Noise Was Ridiculous”

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Van Dijk didn’t hide his frustration with the way Liverpool’s slump had been portrayed in the media and online.

“What I have noticed over the last couple of weeks especially is that there is a lot of noise that you have no control over,” he said. “Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. But you have to deal with that — it’s about sticking together.”

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The 32-year-old insisted that the squad remained united throughout the difficult period and that the criticism was out of touch with reality.

“We’re not going out there on the pitch to lose games. We want to work our socks off and win. But there’s no guarantee — this is the Premier League, the highest level. You have to stay calm if you want to get back to where we want to be.”

Van Dijk also hit out at what he called the “overreaction” from outsiders, suggesting that Liverpool’s recent slump was magnified simply because of their success last season.

“Last season, everything was sunshine and rainbows. Now it sounded like, by the outside world, we were going to be in a relegation battle. That’s how it works now — everyone has an opinion.”

A Leader’s Response: Players’ Meeting and Team Unity

Van Dijk had already demonstrated leadership behind the scenes, reportedly calling a players-only meeting after the defeat to Manchester United. The aim was to realign focus, rebuild morale, and remind everyone of Liverpool’s standards under Slot.

Those internal discussions appear to have paid off. Against Villa, Liverpool looked sharper, more connected, and mentally resilient — the kind of traits that had been missing in recent weeks. The performance suggested that the captain’s message had landed: unity over panic.

Liverpool captain Van Dijk urged his teammates to stay united during their tough run.

Slot Praises Supporters’ Role

While Van Dijk took aim at critics, manager Arne Slot turned his praise towards the supporters who stood by the team during their slump. The Dutch coach admitted that the difficult run had tested everyone but said the Anfield crowd had provided a crucial lift when the team needed it most.

“The support helped a lot, especially at 0–0,” Slot told reporters. “Not when you’re leading or top of the league, but when things are difficult — that’s when you see what makes this club special. The fans didn’t forget what the players have done, and they helped us when we needed it.”

Slot, who acknowledged it was “a difficult situation for me too,” said the win showed the character of both the players and the supporters.

“They felt the players — maybe even me — needed support, and that’s what we got from these fans.”

Slot praised the Anfield faithful for backing the team during a tough period.

Focus Turns to Real Madrid Reunion

There’s no time for rest at Anfield. On Tuesday night, Liverpool welcome Real Madrid in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the Champions League group stage.

The match comes with added emotion — former Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his first return to Anfield since his high-profile move to the Spanish giants in the summer, while Madrid boss Xabi Alonso will also enjoy a reunion with the club where he won the 2005 Champions League as a player.

For Slot’s side, the Villa win offers a vital platform to rebuild momentum and confidence ahead of a massive European night.

What’s Next for Liverpool

The mood around Anfield has lifted, but the message from both Van Dijk and Slot is clear: stay grounded. The victory over Villa was only one step on the long road back to consistency.

Van Dijk’s leadership, coupled with Slot’s steady hand and the unwavering backing of the supporters, could be the key ingredients in Liverpool’s push to get their season back on track.

“Never get too high, never get too low,” Van Dijk concluded. “It’s about staying calm and keeping the focus on the work.”

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