Virgil van Dijk’s “massive dream” as Liverpool captain begins with lifting Carabao Cup

Liverpool might have led the way in which domestically and in Europe for a lot of this season however captain Virgil van Dijk is aware of within the last reckoning solely trophies matter.

This week’s Champions League last-16 exit to Paris St Germain on penalties – solely a fifth defeat in 46 aggressive video games beneath Arne Slot – was an enormous blow to a squad which has largely been leaving opponents trailing of their wake.

A 15-point lead within the Premier League means a second title in 5 years is inside touching distance however Sunday’s defence of their Carabao Cup title towards Newcastle is a sport the Reds need to win or danger criticism over their season unravelling.

Once they stroll out at Wembley it will likely be precisely a 12 months and a day since it began to go mistaken in Jurgen Klopp’s last season, with defeat within the FA Cup quarter-finals adopted by exits from Europa League and the title race inside within the house of a month.

A uncommon Premier League title in Slot’s first season can be a outstanding achievement in itself however Van Dijk is aware of the expectations are all the time set increased than that.

“It’s pleasing, however on the finish of the day, everyone knows the way it works within the enterprise,” he stated.

“You get judged at a membership like Liverpool at what you win on the finish of the street and now we have to maintain working.

“I feel they (Newcastle) didn’t win a trophy for (70 years) so there’s quite a lot of motivation there.

“We clearly need to win so badly as nicely. We labored so laborious to get the place we’re and clearly it’s the primary season along with the brand new regime and we need to present that we will win trophies.

“You’ll be able to’t management what anybody says. Somebody informed me persons are saying that we’re solely going only for the league. These items, you possibly can’t cease it.

“It’s a part of being a soccer participant, having so many platforms these days that individuals can say no matter they need.

“You simply need to shut down a little bit bit, concentrate on the duty forward as a workforce and attempt to win.”

In final 12 months’s last towards Chelsea, Van Dijk scored the winner two minutes from the top of additional time to raise his first trophy as captain.

If the remainder of the season goes to plan he’ll add one other two to his report to enter the annals of membership historical past as a multiple-trophy profitable captain.

“In case you had been to raise the 2 trophies you’ve a reasonably good probability to be in a pleasant listing of captains which have achieved nice issues on this membership,” stated the Dutchman.

“That’s clearly an enormous dream of mine, since I turned the captain of the membership.

“Clearly it’s an enormous hole that needs to be crammed when your captain (Jordan Henderson) and your vice-captain (James Milner) are leaving, particularly with the characters they’re and the successes that we created collectively.

“However that’s a part of life as nicely. Others need to step up and the gamers which might be nonetheless right here – the senior guys – have stepped up, everybody has performed their half in an effort to achieve success.”