Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool’s sole Champions League quest is below their standards.
The fallen English champions are now increasingly destined to secure a spot in next season’s edition of Europe’s elite club competition with five games remaining.
Van Dijk scored the winner to snatch a late victory over Everton while nearest challengers Chelsea’s back-to-back defeats leave them seven points adrift.
But while the Reds are in the box seat, they will end the season trophyless after their title defence disintegrated while also exiting all three cup competitions prematurely.
And Van Dijk has issued a withering verdict that this season’s achievements fall far below the standards which he expects of the club as both a player and captain.
He said: “I think you come to the decisive period now.
“So if it is slipping away, you are playing against very difficult opponents and you can get knocked out – not that that is the Liverpool standard I’m used to or we should be used to, not at all.
“But the reality is we are playing five more games after this and we have to try to get qualification for Champions League done.
“It’s definitely not the standards what I expect and envision myself being a Liverpool player – just to qualify for the Champions League.”
Van Dijk will have a new deputy in the Anfield dressing room in as many summers after vice-captain Andy Robertson prepares to leave at the end of this season.
The Scotland international stepped into the leadership role following sparring partner Trent Alexander-Arnold’s widely anticipated departure just 12 months prior.
“Players have to step up,” insisted Van Dijk.
“You grow into that role or you already have it in you, that is something players have to show even more next season.
“After the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager sees it as well.
“Then we have to tackle the season in the best way possible and not have a season like we have had this season again.
“I don’t want to say but I definitely have my opinion [on who should be vice-captain] and I always share my opinion.
“The focus is now on finishing the season in the best way possible [after] the poor season we are having.”