Virgil van Dijk has launched a furious critique of Liverpool’s form, admitting the reigning champions are “in a mess” after their 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Speaking after the defeat, which left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table, the captain said the team had let down new manager Arne Slot and questioned whether everyone in the squad was taking responsibility for the slump.
Van Dijk described the team’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and said “panic kicked in” after Forest scored. He highlighted Liverpool’s poor defending from set pieces, with the side having now conceded nine goals from dead-ball situations in the league.
He called on his teammates to show accountability, saying basic standards such as pressing and team structure were not being met. Despite nearly £450m spent on new signings in the summer, Van Dijk insisted the problems go beyond new arrivals and affect the entire squad.
“Everyone is responsible,” he said, urging the team to stick together, show character and fight their way out of the crisis.
Liverpool face PSV in the Champions League next before travelling to West Ham in their next Premier League fixture.
