Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool must give new coach Andoni Iraola more time to adapt after a their 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
Liverpool twice came from behind at St James’ Park before Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty rescued a point on the opening weekend.
The result exposed some of the defensive problems that affected Liverpool last season, with Newcastle repeatedly threatening on the counter-attack.
Van Dijk, however, said it was important to give Iraola time to introduce his ideas and build a team in his own image.
“It’s absolutely normal in any type of profession, work, whatever you do, if you come in new and you have new plans and new ideas, then it takes a bit of time with new players,” Van Dijk said.
“It’s down to us to do it as soon as we can, as soon as possible, because we want to improve, we want to win, we want to be better. That’s what we are going to try to do.”
Liverpool won their 20th league title under Arne Slot in 2024/25, but a fifth-place finish last season led to the manager’s dismissal in May.
Van Dijk made it clear that Liverpool cannot afford another campaign like it.
“We need to show a reaction from last year, that we are much better than last year, because this was very unacceptable,” he said.
Iraola has also faced a difficult start in the transfer market. Liverpool have seen Mohamed Salah leave the club, while Hugo Ekitike is facing a long-term injury.
The club have added Spanish winger Victor Munoz, along with defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, but Van Dijk expects further activity before the transfer window closes.
“Everyone wants to see quality arrive regardless, and I fully trust the club and the board to make the right decisions,” he said.
“That’s the only thing I can say, so let’s see what we are going to do.”
Liverpool will look for their first league win under Iraola when they host Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.
