The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.
The Dutch defender could not contain his anger 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. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.
Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses
The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.
“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, 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 difficult situation – that’s just a fact.
Captain’s Challenge: Step Up
Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys 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
The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”
Appeal to Stick Together
Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.
“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 eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”
Next Fixtures
Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”
