Van Dijk looking for Liverpool to prove point in FA Cup

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged his teammates to use the FA Cup as a stage to “prove a point” and reassert their status after an inconsistent season. Following a resilient goalless draw away to Premier League leaders Arsenal, which stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten run to ten matches, Van Dijk stressed that the team must now convert solidity into statement performances in knockout competition.

Van Dijk admitted he is surprised by some of the outside praise for the Arsenal display, arguing that a club of Liverpool’s stature should be judged by more than just defensive organisation and possession. He pointed out that, despite controlling large spells of the game, Liverpool “hardly created a chance” and therefore still have significant room for improvement in attack. The centre-back underlined that the squad are fully aware of these shortcomings and remain determined to raise their level.

Looking ahead to the FA Cup tie against Barnsley at Anfield, Van Dijk insisted Liverpool will not underestimate lower-league opposition. He recalled that any team visiting Anfield in the cup will “try everything” to go through, and warned that Liverpool must be prepared for a physical, intense contest and be ruthless when opportunities to “finish them off” arise.

For Van Dijk, the FA Cup is “definitely important” and part of a wider opportunity this season, alongside the Champions League, to demonstrate “why we are Liverpool and why we are the reigning champions.” He sees the current unbeaten run as a platform, not a destination, urging his side to build consistency, repair their reputation among doubters, and show they can both dominate games and create sufficient chances to justify their ambitions.