🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked 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 current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel 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 each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it 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 gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, 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 tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, 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.”