Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hit out at the ‘ridiculous footage’ and negative ‘external noise’ he and his team-mates have had to deal with during their latest losing streak.
The Reds finally got back to winning ways against Aston Villa on Saturday night, winning 2-0 at Anfield after four consecutive Premier League draws and six defeats in seven in all competitions.
Asked how difficult it has been as leader of the group to maintain morale and focus during the difficult period, Van Dijk said. TNT Sports: “What I’ve noticed in particular over the last few weeks is that there’s a lot of noise that you don’t have control over and that we have to deal with as a team.
“Some of that footage is absolutely ridiculous. But you have to deal with that. It’s outside noise that can get to certain players, the group. It’s about sticking together.
“We’re not going out there on the pitch to lose games, we’re not going out there to be disappointed after games or let fans go home disappointed, we want to work our socks off and win games. But there’s no guarantee. You’re playing in the Premier League, the highest level, in the biggest league in the world and it’s hard to stay calm, but you’ve got to get back where we want, but that’s what you want. Something to watch later in the season.
“Now is the time to keep working, never get too high, never get too low.
“We live in a world now, at least for footballers, because that’s the only thing I can talk about, where everyone can have their opinion on so many platforms and everyone knows better. We have to try to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we’ve done.
“Last season we didn’t hear much negative. Everything was sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounded like from the outside world we are going to be in the relegation battle, so that’s how it works in the world.”
Slot: The fans supported me as well as the team
Liverpool boss Arne Castle was asked about the support of the home fans at Anfield on Saturday and he revealed that he felt for his players and that he always needed that support himself after the criticism of their poor form.
“A lot, of course,” Slot said of how much the fans helped. “Especially because it happened at 0-0, so not when you’re leading and not when you’re at the top of the league, but when you’re in a difficult situation as a club, as a team, and because I’m definitely part of it, it’s a difficult situation for me as well.
“And then to get the support that the players got, but also I got, that’s something that makes this club special, I think. They don’t forget if you’ve been part of something special and they help you especially if things are difficult.
“And that’s what it was the last couple of weeks, things were tough, we didn’t win, by the way, we lost. So they felt the players, maybe even me, needed a bit of support and that’s what you get from these fans.”