🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”