The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.
The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.
“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses
Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked 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 productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.
Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility
The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys 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 spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”
Call for Unity
Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.
“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”
Looking Ahead
Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”
