🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up 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 left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection 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 just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty 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 everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, 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 going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”