🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set 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 Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – 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.” Asked 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 must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “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 push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. 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 avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”