Everyone is ready to go; Van Dijk encourages his teammates to enjoy the new journey.

As Liverpool embarks on a new journey, star Virgil van Dijk said in an interview that the team is ready to meet the challenges of the new season and encouraged his teammates to enjoy this new journey.

Liverpool, now managed by new manager Andoni Iraola, will travel to St. James' Park in the first round of the 2026/27 Premier League season to challenge Newcastle United, managed by new manager Jaissler.

Last season, Liverpool finished a challenging fifth place after overcoming various difficulties. Following Sloot's departure, Andoni Iraola was appointed as Liverpool's new manager in June and led the Reds through their pre-season preparations.

Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Como in an earlier friendly, thanks to goals from Gakopo and Jeremy Jacquet, setting up a win for the Reds against Newcastle.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said: "Last season was unacceptable for me personally and as a Liverpool player, but that's in the past. This new season, we have the opportunity to turn things around with the fans. We certainly know how difficult it will be, but if we're not prepared for the challenge, then we shouldn't be here."

“What I feel right now is that everyone is ready to take on the challenge, so let’s see how we ultimately handle it. But I’m really looking forward to this season, and I don’t think we need to prove anything to anyone. We need to show how much we care about this team, how eager we are to fight for this badge, and also realize how fortunate it is to play for Liverpool.”

Virgil van Dijk said, "If you look at what manager Andoni Iraola did when he was in charge of Bournemouth last season, I think they played a very exciting game. What I would say is that as long as we continue to work hard, believe in ourselves, continue to show our strength, stay healthy, and strive to win a lot of games, then we can be very excited about the future."

"This is our goal, and this is what we are fighting for, but we all know how difficult it is. We all know how tough it is to be in the Premier League and compete on four fronts at the same time, but we must embrace this challenge and enjoy the journey."

In addition, Van Dijk said, "We are all very lucky to be here, and we must keep moving forward and enjoy the process. That's what I will do, and I encourage everyone to do the same. That's what I always emphasize to my teammates, so let's wait and see."

Image source: Internet