Liverpool's Captain Concedes Team Faces Crisis, Questions Players on Responsibility

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player 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 effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity 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.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, 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.”