🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team 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 recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, 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

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”