Virgil van Dijk slams 'unacceptable' Liverpool season ahead of Chelsea clash

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has slammed his side’s "unacceptable" performance this season as they battle to earn a spot in the Champions League . The reigning Premier League champions have endured a miserable defence of their title under Arne Slot .

Liverpool sit fourth in the table and are 18 points behind leaders Arsenal with three games of the season remaining. While Slot’s side are relatively comfortable in the Champions League places, Van Dijk has not minced his words on the Reds’ displays this season.

Writing in Liverpool’s matchday programme ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chelsea , the Dutch defender said: "In many ways that has been the story of our season; we just haven't been able to build any kind of momentum. We have had some good spells in games, some good wins even, but we haven't been able to follow those up and really create some consistency.

"That is extremely frustrating for everyone associated with the club because, as we all know, consistency is the hallmark of successful teams. We keep going, though. We keep working and we stick together.

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"We know we still have a job to do to secure Champions League qualification for next season, and we want to do that as soon as possible. We have three games left to play, and we want to win them all, starting on Saturday.

"Chelsea, like ourselves, have found it difficult at times this season, but we know that they possess a lot of talent in their squad. They will be motivated after a disappointing result of their own last weekend, and we know we will need to be at our best if we want to get the three points.

"Like I say, that is our target, nothing more. This has been a very disappointing season – an unacceptable one, in my opinion – but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. That is not what Liverpool is about.

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"We are all frustrated of course, but we want to try to finish on a positive note, secure that Champions League spot and give you guys at least something to take away from a tough campaign."

Following their clash with Chelsea, Liverpool face a trip to Aston Villa before rounding off their campaign against Brentford at Anfield. Slot is expected to remain in situ despite the club’s disappointing campaign, with club chiefs reportedly set to give him time to turn things around on Merseyside.

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