Van Dijk Concedes Squad is in a Mess, Challenges Players on Responsibility

The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely 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 the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”