Virgil van Dijk makes 'open and honest' call to Liverpool players as 'panic' fear addressed

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCVirgil van Dijk has addressed Liverpool's form ahead of Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday afternoonVirgil van Dijk has called on Liverpool to be "open and honest" about their failings this season as they look to arrest the recent dip in form. The Reds entertain bitter North West rivals Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League having gone into the recent international break on the back of three successive defeats.Arne Slot's side will end the weekend outside the top two for the first time since last August if they fail to down a United team already beaten by main title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City this season.And Van Dijk believes the response of the Liverpool squad will now be pivotal as they begin a run of seven games in 22 days that will go a long way towards shaping the remainder of their season.READ MORE: Liverpool vs Man United outcome is in hands of two Premier League novicesREAD MORE: Milos Kerkez makes 'tough' Liverpool admission and explains what he has seen in training"What matters now is what comes next," said the Liverpool skipper.

"I've spoken many times about what is required at this club – hard work, humility, togetherness, consistency – and that applies just as much in the not-so-good moments as it does in the good ones."We're certainly not panicking, but we also need to be open and honest with ourselves. We know, as a group, that there is room for improvement in our performance levels, and that is what we'll be striving for."But we also know the quality in this dressing room, the strength and character this group possesses.

Those challenges will be tough, of course, but also very exciting."United have won only six games since March, have triumphed in only two of their last 13 away Premier League matches and are without a victory at Anfield in almost a decade.But writing in the official matchday programme, Van Dijk said: "We know this will be a tough game, as every match in this league is, but we expect Anfield to be rocking and hopefully we can give you plenty to shout about."We know we need to show a positive reaction after a difficult week before the international break."To lose the way we did at Chelsea, having worked so hard to fight our way back into the game, was extremely disappointing – particularly given the results against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray beforehand."But this is football, and these things can happen, especially when you're competing in competitions like the Premier League and Champions League, against the best teams and players. Nothing comes easy, and nor should it."Liverpool sale knocks 50% off kit and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.