{
  "id": 2128875,
  "title": "EPL: Van Dijk urges Liverpool to make amends for ‘unacceptable’ season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/epl-van-dijk-urges-liverpool-to-make-amends-for-unacceptable-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T12:14:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/epl-van-dijk-urges-liverpool-to-make-amends-for-unacceptable-season/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his team to rectify their \"unacceptable\" performances from last season. The Reds concluded the season in a disappointing fifth place in the Premier League, failing to secure any trophies as they lost 19 of their 56 matches across all competitions, including 12 of their 38 league games. Only one fewer than the total losses they had suffered in the previous three seasons combined. Van Dijk spoke about the need for his side to improve and \"make amends\" this season. \"Last year was unacceptable. This year we have an opportunity to turn that around\", he said. With former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola now taking charge, Van Dijk is optimistic about the team's potential. \"If we keep working, keeping believing, and showing our quality, then we can be very excited\", he added. Van Dijk hopes that the new signings and departures will lead to a more competitive squad, capable of competing in all four fronts. \"Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.\"",
  "summary": "Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk calls for the team to make amends for their “unacceptable” last season. Read how Liverpool plans to turn things around. Read More: https://punchng.com/epl-van-dijk-urges-liverpool-to-make-amends-for-unacceptable-season/",
  "key_points": [
    "Van Dijk urges Liverpool to rectify unacceptable 2023 season.",
    "Reds finished fifth in Premier League, 19 losses in 56 matches.",
    "New manager Iraola and transfers aim to improve squad competitiveness."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Van Dijk demands Liverpool bounce back after ‘unacceptable’ season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/van-dijk-demands-liverpool-bounce-back-after-unacceptable-season",
        "published": "2026-08-20T12:03:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Van Dijk urges Liverpool to make amends for ‘unacceptable’ season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/van-dijk-urges-liverpool-to-make-amends-for-unacceptable-season",
        "published": "2026-08-20T12:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "EPL: Van Dijk urges Liverpool to make amends for ‘unacceptable’ season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/epl-van-dijk-urges-liverpool-to-make-amends-for-unacceptable-season-2130471",
        "published": "2026-08-20T12:24:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}