Van Dijk Admits Team is in a Mess, Questions Players on Responsibility

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing 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 Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen 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 everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, 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 Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”