Liverpool’s Van Dijk rejects criticism of training regime after Man United’s defeat

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hit back at criticism of the team’s training regime following Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United, amid criticism on social media over the players’ time off.

Arne Slot’s side suffered their 18th defeat in all competitions this season, leaving champions Liverpool fourth in the table with 58 points with three games remaining, despite spending around 446 million pounds ($603.84 million) to improve the squad.

Van Dijk was asked about online claims that Liverpool’s training schedule was light, including suggestions that players were on holiday last week.

«I’m not sure if it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip,» Van Dijk told reporters. «When you have one day off – and you don’t have many days off – people decide what they want to do with their families. We’re not kids. Everyone’s adults. We’re all adults.»

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«I wish we had more days off every now and then because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving Manchester City three days off in the last few weeks in a row and they’re doing quite well. It’s about finding the right balance.»

“I can understand if people think we don’t train, and if we don’t get results it could be seen as a reason why we’re not getting results.” Liverpool will end the season without any silverware after exiting the FA Cup and suffering a heavy defeat to Paris St Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Chelsea will play in ninth place on Saturday.

“I want this to be resolved,” Van Dijk added. «I want us to experience what I have experienced here lately. I want us to be successful… We have to realize that this season cannot be repeated next season. It is unacceptable.»

Published on May 4, 2026