‘I like the pressure’ – Virgil van Dijk claims Liverpool relishing struggles under Arne Slot as Reds look to salvage stuttering start to campaign

Virgil van Dijk says he likes the pressure as Liverpool navigate a stuttering start under Arne Slot

For Virgil van Dijk, pressure has never been something to hide from. If anything, it is what defines life at the very top of football. And as Liverpool attempt to steady themselves after a turbulent opening to the season, their captain has made it clear he is embracing the challenge rather than shrinking from it.

The Reds’ title defence has not unfolded as many expected. A summer of heavy investment, renewed optimism under Arne Slot, and the glow of last season’s Premier League triumph have all given way to inconsistency, emotional strain and uncomfortable questions. Yet Van Dijk insists this is exactly the environment he wants to be in.

“I like the pressure,” the Liverpool skipper admitted, speaking with the calm authority of a player who has seen it all. “I want to be on the highest level.”

Those words capture the mindset Liverpool will need if they are to rescue a campaign that has so far failed to ignite.

A season shaped by grief and shock after Diogo Jota’s passing

Liverpool’s struggles cannot be viewed purely through a footballing lens. This season has been profoundly affected by events far beyond tactics or form. The tragic death of Diogo Jota over the summer cast a shadow over the entire club, one that is still felt deeply inside the dressing room.

Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, in July. The pair were travelling from Porto towards Santander to catch a ferry back to England for pre-season after doctors advised Jota against flying following minor surgery. A tyre blowout while overtaking proved fatal.

“It was a shock to the whole world,” Van Dijk recalled. “I had just landed back in the UK after a family holiday when I received the phone call. That is something I will never forget.”

For Liverpool, the challenge was not only how to continue playing football, but how to support a grieving family and process the sudden loss of a teammate who had become integral both on and off the pitch.

“In the months after, you try to be the best version of yourself,” Van Dijk said. “Being there for the players, for the staff, but especially for Rute and the kids, and Andre and Diogo’s parents.”

The Dutch defender was quick to highlight the club’s response.

“The club did an amazing job. But I expected nothing else. Liverpool is a caring club. The most important thing was his family – and it still is.”

Liverpool return to action against Wolves with emotions still raw

Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League

Saturday’s meeting with Wolves at Anfield carries emotional significance. It is the first match between Jota’s two former English clubs since his passing. Wolves were the platform that launched his Premier League career before his move to Liverpool, where he would become a title winner and a fan favourite.

For the players, it is another reminder of how unusual and demanding this season has been. For supporters, it is a moment of reflection as well as football.

Liverpool enter the fixture knowing the stakes are high. A win could lift them into the top four, a small but important step in rebuilding momentum after a difficult start.

A stuttering title defence raises questions around Arne Slot

On the pitch, Liverpool’s campaign has been uneven. Sitting 10 points behind Arsenal, the defending champions have struggled to produce the authority that defined last season. While recent wins against Brighton and Tottenham suggest signs of life, the margin for error remains slim.

The pressure has inevitably fallen on Arne Slot, now in his second season at the club. Early optimism gave way to frustration as results failed to match expectations. Some questioned whether teams had “figured Liverpool out”, while others pointed fingers at new signings still finding their feet.

Van Dijk, however, rejects the idea that panic is required.

“When things are not going well, there’s been a lot of talk about new players,” he said. “But we’ve also played many games with the same players and still didn’t get results.”

For the captain, blame is too easily assigned in moments of difficulty.

‘I like the pressure’ – Van Dijk’s leadership moment

At 34, Van Dijk understands the responsibility that comes with wearing the armband at Liverpool. This is not the first storm he has had to help navigate, and his experience has shaped his outlook.

“I like the pressure and I want to be on the highest level,” he said simply.

It is a statement that resonates inside the club. Pressure at Liverpool is not a burden, but an expectation. Van Dijk’s belief is that embracing it, rather than fearing it, is the only way forward.

That attitude has been vital during a season where emotions, injuries and transition have collided.

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Summer spending and new arrivals under scrutiny

Liverpool’s slow start feels even more jarring given the scale of their summer investment. The club spent heavily to reinforce both attack and defence, welcoming Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz to bolster the frontline. At the back, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni arrived, while Giorgi Mamardashvili secured his future move to Anfield.

Add new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk himself, and it felt like a statement window.

Reality, however, has been more complicated.

Ekitike has impressed, but others have struggled for rhythm. Isak’s season has been disrupted by injury, most recently an ankle fracture suffered against Tottenham. Wirtz only recently registered his first direct Premier League contribution.

Van Dijk believes patience is essential.

“When anyone goes to a new job, you need a bit of time,” he explained. “You’re getting used to the way we want to play, the values of the club, the intensity of the Premier League and the Champions League.”

Van Dijk backs Liverpool’s new signings to come good

Rather than questioning recruitment, the Liverpool captain is adamant the club’s summer arrivals will prove their worth.

“Mentally, it takes a bit of time,” he said. “But I’m absolutely convinced that all the players who have joined us will succeed. They will be very important for the club.”

It is a message aimed as much at supporters as it is at teammates. Integration, especially at a club with Liverpool’s demands, is rarely instant.

Van Dijk’s confidence in the group reflects his belief in the wider project under Slot, even if results have not yet fully aligned.

A chance to reset as Liverpool look to salvage the campaign

Liverpool’s unbeaten run of five league matches suggests the corner may be turning. With Wolves visiting Anfield and rivals around them still inconsistent, an opportunity exists to stabilise the season and push towards the Champions League places.

Van Dijk is expected to captain the side once again, having been ever-present in both domestic and European competition. His presence remains central to Liverpool’s hopes of restoring authority and belief.

For all the noise surrounding the club, the message from their leader is clear: pressure is part of the job, and it is one he welcomes.

As Liverpool attempt to salvage a stuttering start under Arne Slot, they will need that mindset more than ever.