🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece 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 gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

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 – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, 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 straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”