🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss 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 opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing facts 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 letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone 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.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character 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 going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match 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 game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”