Virgil van Dijk issues 'unacceptable' message as Steven Gerrard knows importance

Liverpool's game against Fulham has taken on added significance following defeats against Manchester City and Paris Sain-Germain since club soccer's resumption last week

Virgil van Dijk and Steven Gerrard outlined the importance of the Premier League game against Fulham for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has said Liverpool must drastically improve when it faces Fulham on Saturday after last week’s “unacceptable” performance against Manchester City.

The Reds were dumped out of the FA Cup following a disastrous 4-0 loss at the Etihad, prompting most away fans to leave before full-time. Van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai and Arne Slot all questioned the commitment of Liverpool’s players in the grizzly aftermath of the quarterfinal loss.

It was far from ideal preparation for the midweek Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain, and while the effort levels were significantly better in France, Liverpool was still easily beaten in that one-sided affair.

Now the attention returns to the Premier League as the Reds host Fulham at a crucial juncture of the season. Liverpool has just seven games remaining to secure a Champions League place next season and sits just a point clear of sixth-place Chelsea.

It will take a vast improvement to guarantee a top-five finish, as Van Dijk outlined in his pre-match notes.

“It has been a difficult season for us all, for sure, and there is no shying away from the fact that the past few days have been particularly tough,” the Liverpool captain wrote in the matchday program.

“To lose in the manner we did against Manchester City was bad – unacceptable, in my opinion – and to go from that into another extremely difficult game against one of Europe’s best teams in Paris Saint-Germain was always going to be very challenging. So it proved.

Van Dijk was not impressed the performance at the Etihad last week(Image: Getty Images)

“Losing a game hurts, no matter the circumstances, but what we can take from Wednesday night at least is that we showed fight and togetherness, and that there is still a second leg to be played in the tie. We need a special performance if we are to turn it around, of course, but with you guys behind us at Anfield, we have to believe.

“Before we can even think about that, though, we have another extremely important game to focus on as we take on a strong Fulham side. We know how big these final weeks of the season are. We have seven Premier League games left and we know exactly what is required if we want to qualify for the Champions League next season.

“So we have to get our heads down, stick together and give absolutely everything. Nothing else is acceptable at this football club.”

Gerrard said he would worry for Slot's position if Liverpool loses to Fulham(Image: Getty Images)

Another legendary captain from Liverpool folklore also outlined the importance of the Fulham game earlier this week.

“I think the Fulham game is just as important [as the PSG games], and I think if the ownership and the people above me see that gap, the [Aston] Villa and [Manchester] United stretches or gets any worse, I worry for the manager's position,” Steven Gerrard said on talkSPORT.

“I don't want to see that happen. I'm a huge fan of Arne Slot. I was blown away by his first season, I must say. He's a good man, he's obviously a very, very good coach, the job he's done.

“I think the key to this situation will be the Fulham game in terms of if he can put more heat on United and Villa. But if this was to get any worse, I'd be worried for the manager, I must say.”