Van Dijk Concedes Squad is in a Mess, Questions Players on Accountability

Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. 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 unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time 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 in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”