The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.
The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.
“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes
The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.
“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, 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 crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.
Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility
Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”
Summer Signings and Team Problems
The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”
Appeal to Stick Together
Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.
“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”
Next Fixtures
Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”
