Van Dijk Admits Team is in a Mess, Questions Players on Responsibility

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want 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 have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season 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. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”