🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham 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 sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

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 Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”