Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.
Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display 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 “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.
“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.
Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility
Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “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 difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”
Summer Signings and Team Problems
Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”
Appeal to Stick Together
Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.
“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”
Next Fixtures
The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”
