🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection 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.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone 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 players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply 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 midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”