🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger 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 latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. 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 avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”