Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool’s dramatic slump, admitting the champions are “a mess” and warning that not all players may be taking enough responsibility for the team’s downfall.
The Liverpool captain spoke in anger after a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that left the club in the bottom half of the Premier League and with a negative goal difference. It marked Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven league games and their eighth defeat in 11 matches across all competitions.
Van Dijk said the team’s response after going behind was “unacceptable” and revealed that panic set in early in the second half. He admitted the players were letting down manager Arne Slot and called for unity and accountability in the dressing room.
He told reporters that every player must look at themselves first before pointing fingers, adding that basic standards such as coordinated pressing and winning individual battles were not being met often enough.
Despite heavy summer spending, with almost £450m invested in new players, Liverpool have failed to improve. Van Dijk stressed the problems go beyond new signings and said the entire squad must take responsibility.
The Dutch defender urged his teammates to stay strong, face the pressure head-on and fight their way out of the crisis together, warning that giving up has no place at the club.
Liverpool face PSV in midweek before travelling to West Ham next Sunday, with Van Dijk insisting the team must focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the problems.
