🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger 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 negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. 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 facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal 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 support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match 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 hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

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