🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with 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 Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” 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 make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title 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, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”