🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described 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 advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape 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 Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary 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.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons 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 Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”