Van Dijk Concedes Team is in a Mess, Questions Teammates on Responsibility

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned 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 challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together 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 Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk 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 hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”