Virgil van Dijk Unleashes Scathing Attack on Liverpool Teammates: "A Mess"

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk confessed that the team is disappointing their coach Arne Slot and raised doubts about whether all players are accepting accountability for what he described as "a disaster."

Van Dijk was among numerous players in Liverpool colors who performed poorly during a crushing 3–0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Once again this season, the thoughtful captain had to address the press following a disappointing performance, though he seemed especially frustrated this time.

"We are certainly disappointing him [Slot]," Van Dijk declared angrily, "but we've also disappointed ourselves. You examine yourself first and then you support each other, you assist each other in escaping this disaster because right now it is a disaster—that's simply the truth.

"As the title holders we cannot be in the position we find ourselves in currently. What will we do about it? We're going to attempt to reverse it and that's the attitude everyone must have."

Liverpool have dropped half of their first 12 Premier League matches for only the second time in the league's 33-year existence. The 2015–16 version of Chelsea remains the sole defending champions to have lost more league fixtures at this stage of a campaign than Slot's team.

"You must be furious," Van Dijk added, clearly embodying that description himself. "The crucial thing for me is that everyone must accept accountability."

When asked if his teammates were actually heeding those instructions, "I'm not sure," he responded unconvincingly.

"But you must do that. It's the primary thing I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must do it if we want to escape this situation."

Van Dijk Supports Liverpool's New Acquisitions

Much of the public criticism has targeted the players who joined this summer for a total cost of £450 million ($588.6 million). The most costly of these, Alexander Isak, faced harsh criticism after another ineffective performance on Saturday. However, Van Dijk was eager to support the new additions, to some extent. "It's difficult for everyone," he noted.

Rather than tactical issues, Van Dijk criticized a lack of effort. "When someone is applying pressure, you must support the press," he clarified. "These are fundamental aspects but they're not occurring sufficiently."

"We had an excellent three or four days of preparation," the Netherlands international added, "but in a match you deal with reality and the reality is we allowed a set piece goal in the first half and a dreadful goal at the beginning of the second half."

'Liverpool Must Continue, Continue and Continue'

Van Dijk emphasized that he is not someone who "gives up."

"You must be strong and confront the difficulties and continue, continue and continue because if you want to surrender then you are in the wrong place in my opinion, because this club has faced many challenges over the years and we've always overcome them," Liverpool's captain stated passionately. "But it doesn't mean it's simple, it's exhausting but there is no alternative."

The Reds return to Anfield on Wednesday for a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven—one of the few teams that defeated Liverpool during their strong run last season.

"Wednesday brings another match so what will I do, go home and weep?" Van Dijk questioned. "No, I'm going home and will try to consider how we can reverse this situation and hopefully that's what everyone else is doing too."