Virgil van Dijk has delivered a strong public critique of Liverpool’s dramatic slump, admitting the reigning champions are “in a mess” after a 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest left them in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Speaking after the loss at Anfield, the Liverpool captain said the team had let down head coach Arne Slot and questioned whether all players were taking enough responsibility for the club’s collapse. The defeat marked Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven league games and their eighth in 11 matches across all competitions.
Van Dijk called the team’s start to the second half “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” after Forest took the lead. He highlighted ongoing issues at set pieces, with Liverpool conceding their ninth such goal in the league this season.
Visibly angry in the tunnel after the match, Van Dijk challenged his teammates to respond, saying everyone must take responsibility. When asked if that was currently happening, he admitted he wasn’t sure.
Despite nearly £450m being spent in the summer, Van Dijk said the problems go beyond new signings and pointed to basic issues such as pressing, winning duels and collective effort. He warned Liverpool lack consistency, concede too many goals and are losing too many battles across the pitch.
He urged the squad to stick together rather than point fingers, insisting the only way forward is to face the pressure and keep fighting. Liverpool face PSV in the Champions League next before travelling to West Ham in the Premier League.
