🔗 Share this article

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

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat 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 in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish 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 new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring 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 only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”