Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a stark assessment of the team's alarming form, confessing that he and his teammates are failing their new manager, Arne Slot, and are mired in a deep crisis.
A Disastrous Run of Form
The Reds' title defence lies in tatters after a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. This latest setback marks a staggering eighth loss in just eleven matches across all competitions, a run of form that has seen the former champions plummet into the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Van Dijk did not mince his words when analysing the situation, stating that the players are squarely to blame. "We are definitely letting him down," the Dutch defender said of Slot, "but we are also letting ourselves down. As champions, we cannot be in the situation we are in now, but it is a fact."
Van Dijk's Defiant Stance and Call for Responsibility
Despite the crushing disappointment, the Liverpool skipper insisted that surrender is not an option. He highlighted the team's unacceptable start to the second half against Forest as a particular low point and acknowledged the difficulty of the current predicament.
"Overall, it was a very disappointing afternoon and something that is hard to take," Van Dijk admitted. "It is the reality. I do not give up. I will never quit. I will keep going, but that does not mean it is not hard to take."
Turning his attention to the dressing room atmosphere, the captain issued a clear challenge to his colleagues, emphasising the need for personal accountability. "They should be angry," he said. "The main thing for me is that everyone has to look in the mirror and take responsibility. I do not know if people are doing that, but they have to. That is the main thing I want the guys to do. It is not easy in difficult moments, but we have to do it if we want to get out of this. It is a tough day."
Looking Ahead to a Critical Week
While manager Arne Slot shouldered the blame publicly for the defeat, his captain believes the solution must come from the players on the pitch. The team has little time to dwell on the loss, with a crucial week ahead.
Liverpool return to action on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven, a team that defeated them last season, before a difficult away trip to West Ham on Sunday. These fixtures represent a critical opportunity for the squad to heed their captain's call and begin turning their season around.
