🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

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 advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said 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 help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing 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

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”