Van Dijk Admits Squad Faces Crisis, Challenges Players on Responsibility

The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team 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 fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection 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 just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks 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 teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad 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, Van Dijk 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 tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested 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. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman 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 hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”