Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool’s struggles, admitting the reigning champions are “in a mess” and questioning whether all players are taking responsibility for the team’s collapse in form.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, the captain said the performance was “unacceptable” and that “panic kicked in” once Forest took the lead. The loss left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table, having suffered six defeats in their last seven league matches.
Van Dijk acknowledged that the squad is letting down manager Arne Slot and insisted the team must take collective responsibility to fix the situation. “We’ve let ourselves down as well,” he said, adding that it is up to every player to help the team “out of this mess”.
He also called out basic issues in Liverpool’s play, including a lack of coordinated pressing and physical battles. Despite heavy summer spending, including high-profile signings, Van Dijk made clear that the problems extend beyond new arrivals.
The Dutch defender urged the squad to stick together rather than point fingers, stressing that overcoming adversity is part of the club’s identity. Liverpool face PSV in midweek before travelling to West Ham next weekend, and Van Dijk said the response must be immediate.
“I’m not going to go home and cry,” he said. “I’m going to think about how we can turn this around.”
