Virgil van Dijk launched a fierce critique of Liverpool’s form after their 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, admitting the defending champions are “in a mess” and questioning whether all players are taking responsibility.
The defeat, Liverpool’s sixth in seven league games, left them in the bottom half of the table with a negative goal difference. Van Dijk said the team “panicked” after conceding, describing their second-half performance as “unacceptable” and acknowledging they are letting manager Arne Slot down.
Speaking angrily after the match, the captain urged teammates to take ownership of the crisis. He questioned whether everyone was doing so, insisting that basics like pressing and following teammates’ movements were not happening enough.
Despite spending almost £450m in the summer, Liverpool have struggled, with new signings failing to make an impact. Van Dijk stressed the problems are not limited to new players, saying the entire squad is responsible.
He called for unity rather than blame, urging players to “be a man” in difficult moments and fight to turn things around. Liverpool face PSV in midweek before travelling to West Ham next weekend, and Van Dijk insisted he will focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the defeat.
