🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half 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 loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” 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 Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “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 work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing 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.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase 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 eyes, because this club 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 exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”