🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. 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 performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection 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: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”