Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a stark assessment of his team's dramatic slump, admitting the players are letting down their new manager Arne Slot and describing the champions' current situation as a 'mess'.
A Disastrous Afternoon at the City Ground
The damning comments came after a 3-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a result that marks the Reds' eighth loss in just eleven games. This bruising run of form has seen last season's title winners plummet into the bottom half of the Premier League table, their defence of the crown unravelling at an alarming rate.
Van Dijk did not hold back in his post-match analysis, stating the team's performance, particularly at the start of the second half, was 'unacceptable'. The frustration from the travelling supporters was palpable, with boos ringing out at the full-time whistle at the City Ground.
Van Dijk's Candid Take on Responsibility
Speaking openly about the pressure on the squad and their new boss, the Dutch defender was unequivocal. 'We are definitely letting him down but we've let ourselves down as well,' Van Dijk confessed, referring to manager Arne Slot.
He emphasised the need for personal accountability above all else. 'You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's just a fact,' he said. 'As the champions we can't be in the situation we are in right now but it's a fact.'
Despite the bleak outlook, the Liverpool captain insisted he is not a quitter and backed the team to find a solution. 'What are we going to do about it? We're going to try to turn it around and that's the mentality everyone should have,' Van Dijk asserted. 'I'm not a quitter. I will never quit. I will keep going but it doesn't mean it isn't tough to take.'
Looking Ahead to a Critical Week
The immediate challenge for Liverpool is to regroup quickly for a demanding schedule. They are back in action on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven, a team that secured a victory against them last season.
This is followed by another difficult Premier League fixture with a trip to West Ham on Sunday. These matches represent a critical opportunity for Van Dijk and his teammates to start making good on their captain's promise to fight their way out of the current crisis.
