🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was 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 terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging 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 this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged 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 Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”