Van Dijk Admits Squad is in a Mess, Challenges Teammates on Responsibility

The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham 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 observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are 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 moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary 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 they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty 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 tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons 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 Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”