🔗 Share this article Van Dijk Concedes Team Faces Crisis, Questions Teammates on Responsibility Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn. Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone. Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign. “We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality. Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want 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 The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.” Call for Unity The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others. “You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.” Looking Ahead The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”