The 34-year-old club captain was speaking after the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday — Liverpool's 18th loss across all competitions this season and their 11th in the league. It is the most defeats suffered by a reigning Premier League champion in a single title defence since Leicester City's 2016/17 campaign.
Van Dijk did not spare the group in his assessment.
"I'm not here to make excuses. It's been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it's tough. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work and turn this around and make sure that next season these things don't happen. It's not Liverpool."
He returned to the theme repeatedly and with increasing directness.
"I think it's unacceptable that we have lost too many times as defending champions of the Premier League and we shouldn't accept it. There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season. When I am back from the World Cup I will go into it, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes."
Liverpool sit fourth, 18 points behind leaders Arsenal, and may need up to four points from their remaining three games to confirm Champions League qualification. Van Dijk framed that task in stark terms.
"We have three games left and the realisation has to come from ourselves, as a group and as players, to make sure that we are in the Champions League because of the impact of it for the financial side for the club. But also because we want to be playing against the best teams in Europe."
He was also drawn on social media criticism of the squad's training schedule and an incident in which members of the squad took a city trip abroad in the week of the Manchester United defeat. Without addressing any individual directly, Van Dijk defended the players while acknowledging the optics.
"If you have one day off and you don't have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult. I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving City three days off the last few weeks and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance."
He reserved his most personal commitment for the final part of his answer, making clear that despite his disappointment he has no intention of walking away from the challenge.
"I care so much about this club. I know it has been a tough season, but I will always be there in good and lesser good days. Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job you do. But it is also the best way to be successful. This season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable."