Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his side to take a realistic view of their prospects as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign and a possible challenge to Arsenal for the title.
“We need to be realistic,” said the Netherlands defender, whose comments offer a cautious assessment of Liverpool’s position after a disappointing previous season.
Liverpool finished fifth last term, missing out on the title after Arsenal were crowned champions. The Reds will now begin the new campaign seeking a significantly improved performance, with Van Dijk assessing the team’s chances before the opening round of Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal have already made a winning start to the new season. The champions defeated Coventry 3-0 in their opening match, giving them an early boost as they begin their title defence.
That result provides an immediate point of reference for Liverpool as they look to close the gap on Arsenal. However, Van Dijk’s message is that expectations must be grounded in reality rather than based solely on the club’s status or past achievements.
Liverpool’s previous campaign ended with a fifth-place finish, a result that left them outside the leading positions in the Premier League. Their task in the new season will therefore be to improve their league position while competing in a title race in which Arsenal have already demonstrated their strength with a convincing opening victory.
The first league fixture involving Andoni Iraola’s side will take place away from home against Newcastle on Sunday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 Moscow time.
The source article refers to Iraola’s team in the build-up to the 2026-27 Premier League season, while Van Dijk’s comments concern Liverpool’s prospects. It does not provide further detail about the relationship between the two storylines, nor does it include a more detailed assessment of the Reds’ squad or their plans for the campaign.
For Liverpool, the immediate focus remains on the start of the new Premier League season and the challenge of recovering from last year’s fifth-place finish. Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Coventry has set the early pace, but Van Dijk’s comments suggest that Liverpool’s ambitions will need to be matched by a consistent improvement on the pitch.
The captain’s assessment places emphasis on realism as Liverpool consider their chances of competing with the champions. With Arsenal already having secured three points, the pressure will be on the Reds to respond when their own campaign gets under way.