The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.
The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings 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 all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.
Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses
The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.
“There was 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 first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.
Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility
The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”
Squad Investment and Broader Issues
Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”
Appeal to Stick Together
Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.
“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”
Next Fixtures
The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”
