Virgil van Dijk's stark Liverpool admission as Reds captain makes West Ham demand

The Liverpool captain gave an honest account of the team's form and performance last week at Nottingham Forest, as the Reds prepare to take on West Ham United in the Premier League

Virgil van Dijk has admitted Liverpool's results and performances must improve

Virgil van Dijk has called for Liverpool to continue building momentum on Saturday, following the dramatic late win at Nottingham Forest last week, as he admitted the Reds aren't where they want to be.

Despite the underwhelming performance at the City Ground, Alexis Mac Allister’s injury-time strike ensured the Reds closed the gap to the sides currently occupying the Champions League places, and after Aston Villa’s slip-up again on Friday, the Reds could reduce that further against the Hammers.

But after struggling to create chances against one relegation-threatened side last week, Van Dijk is under no illusions that Saturday’s game will be equally tough, even if Liverpool has won nine of the last 10 meetings between the clubs.

The defender has helped the Reds earn clean sheets in the last three matches, and said continuing that disciplined approach against West Ham could be key.

“Saturday is all about maintaining momentum,” the captain wrote in his pre-match program notes.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we have shown big improvements in recent weeks, but that doesn’t mean we are exactly where we want or need to be.

Virgil van Dijk has called on Liverpool to continue is upward momentum(Image: Getty Images)

“The important thing right now is that we keep finding ways to get the results we need. Sometimes that means winning and playing well, playing good football, creating lots of chances and scoring lots of goals.

“But on other occasions, it is about the other side of the game. It’s about digging in, defending well, showing strength and character and keeping on going until the very last whistle, no matter what.

“That is certainly what we did at Nottingham Forest last weekend. It was a very important win for us, at a place which is very tough to visit.

Virgil van Dijk has praised Liverpool's resilience and mentality after its late win at Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)

“We showed a real desire not to concede throughout the game, and then in the closing stages we pushed hard to find the winning goal. It was nice to be on the right end of a late one for once this season.

“Now, as l say, we have to continue pushing for results and for progress. We are at home to West Ham and then away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night, and we know that these will be two very tough games, no matter what the league table may say.

“Forest showed, as just about every team in the Premier League has shown, that every opponent must be respected in this league. It is so tough, so competitive, and the demands are huge each week.

“For us, we have to show the right mentality, the humility and the willingness to work hard, and the desire to fight for every single ball.”