Liverpool Struggle: Van Dijk Slams Team's Disappointing Form

Reds' worry, Van Dijk speaks out on Liverpool's poor run

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk slams team's disappointing form after 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool's struggles continue as Van Dijk admits team is letting manager Arne Slot down.

We're going to try to turn it around and that's the mentality everyone should have...”

Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, has slammed his team's recent performances, saying they're “letting down” manager Arne Slot. This comes after Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, their sixth defeat in seven league games, which has dropped them into the bottom half of the table.

Van Dijk emphasized that the players are also letting themselves down, saying, “We are definitely letting him (Slot) down but we've let ourselves down as well.” He's urging his teammates to take responsibility and work together to turn their season around, stating, “You look at yourself first and then you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess - that's just a fact.”

The team's struggles are particularly surprising given their record-breaking £450 million transfer spend this summer. Van Dijk acknowledged the pressure on Slot but emphasized that everyone needs to step up, saying, “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better.”

“We are definitely letting him (Slot) down but we've let ourselves down as well,” said Van Dijk.

“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.

“As the champions, we can't be in the situation we are in right now. 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.”

Liverpool's summer signings haven't quite lived up to expectations, and Alexander Isak's struggles have been particularly notable. The £125m forward is yet to score a league goal for the Reds, and he looked out of sorts against Forest.

Isak's 68 minutes on the pitch were underwilled, and he failed to make a significant impact. His lack of goals and influence has raised questions about his fit at Anfield, especially considering his impressive form at Newcastle.

It's not just the new signings struggling - some of last season's key players have also gone missing. Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk's centre-back partner, was replaced early against Forest due to another underwilling display, adding to concerns about the team's overall form.

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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2025

Konate's struggles are a major worry, given his importance to the team. His early substitution against Forest raises questions about his current form and fitness, and how it might impact the team's defense.

“What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better," added Van Dijk.

“We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it and happy and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes because this club has gone through much adversity over those years and we've always come out of it.”

Liverpool's form in the Champions League has been much better with three wins from four games.

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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2025

The return to European competition could offer some relief for Slot's men when PSV Eindhoven visit Anfield in Liverpool's next outing on Wednesday.