Liverpool take on Napoli in the Champions League this midweek following which they host Manchester City at Anfield next weekend. And before the high-profile clash, defender Virgil Van Dijk has sent out a warning to his teammates.
Liverpool are winless in their past two games and Jurgen Klopp’s men will be desperate to try and change that against Napoli on Wednesday.
And come the Manchester City game, the manager might have to make a few tough calls as far as his selection is concerned.
The Reds looked lack-lustre against Chelsea during the weekend and it was primarily down to their misfiring attackers.
Mo Salah was especially poor as his first touch constantly kept on failing him in crucial positions and was subsequently replaced. Roberto Firmino too was average and it was down to the substitute Daniel Sturridge to rescue a point for the Anfield outfit.
Jordan Henderson too was taken off in the second half as the club captain failed to impress.
And both the substitutions of Henderson and Salah were met with a few frowns as both the players did not look particularly happy at being taken off.
But now Virgil Van Dijk has come out to defend Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy claiming that any player who is not happy with this process can leave the club.
Van Dijk said: “You have to (understand), otherwise you better leave,
“We all want one thing, we all want to be successful, everyone, and we need everyone’s help.
“It’s a long season with a lot of games, we need everyone and everyone knows that as well, and that’s a big strength for us. Everyone is doing their bit because the season is long.”
Jordan Henderson might feature against Napoli in midweek but Mo Salah is likely to be rested as he makes way for Xherdan Shaqiri.
So Van Dijk’s message to his teammates is pretty clear. Perform or perish.
Read: Which Liverpool players are likely to miss the UCL clash vs Napoli?
Read: Fans want Jurgen Klopp to sell ‘this’ player right now but do the Reds have a replacement?
