Virgil van Dijk slams 'ridiculous' Liverpool 'noise': 'Like we're in a relegation battle'

Reds kept a clean sheet for first time since September

Virgil van Dijk has labelled some of the discourse about Liverpool as “ridiculous” after the Premier League champions ended their losing streak.

Arne Slot’s side had suffered four consecutive league defeats before Aston Villa visited Anfield, and the Merseysiders ran out 2-0 victors thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 250th goal for the club and Ryan Gravenberch’s strike, which capped off his return from injury.

Liverpool had been beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace , Chelsea and Manchester United before a 3-2 loss at Brentford , but they appeared rejuvenated here, sweeping through an error-laden Villa side, who gifted the hosts the opener as Salah stroked home after Emi Martinez sold Pau Torres short with a pass.

Their attentions turn to the Champions League in midweek, where they welcome Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso back to Anfield as Real Madrid come to town.

That clash is followed by a huge Premier League encounter with Manchester City .

After the victory at Anfield, Van Dijk emphasised the importance of unity in the face of adversity.

"Even in good times, you have to still keep going and not take our foot off the gas,” the Dutchman told TNT Sports.

“What I've noticed over the last few weeks is that there's a lot of noise that you have no control over and we have to deal with that as a team. Some of the takes are ridiculous, but you deal with it.

“Outside noise can reach certain players, but we stick together. We are not going out on the pitch to lose games or leave fans disappointed, we want to work our socks off and win games. But it's not a guarantee, the Premier League is the highest level.

"Now it's time to start working, never get too high or too low. We live in a world where everyone can have their own opinions on so many platforms and they know better. We have to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we are doing.

"Last season, we did some negative stuff but everything was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounds like we're going to be in a relegation battle - that's how it works in the world."