🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance 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 opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality 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 the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals 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. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league 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 go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”