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VIRGIL VAN DIJK SLAMS EASY GOALS, POINTS TO BAD ATMOSPHERE AFTER LATEST LOSS
Virgil van Dijk criticised Liverpool's "unacceptable" 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, citing "far too many simple goals." The loss marks a dramatic downturn for the reigning Premier League champions.
Even though Liverpool began with promise, their inability to make the most of some early opportunities came back to haunt them as Murillo blasted a goal home for the visiting team following a corner kick.
Subsequently, Forest believed they had extended their advantage just moments later, but Igor Jesus, who seemed to have scored, was instead called for an unintentional handball.
However, ultimately it had little impact, as the home team collapsed further in the second period, giving up a goal within a minute after play resumed and then permitting a third from a rebounded shot approximately 10 minutes before the final whistle.
In evaluating his team's showing, Van Dijk commented that Liverpool simply "allows far too many simple goals."
He stated regarding Forest's initial goal, emphasizing the Reds' persistent vulnerability in defending set-piece plays: "For the initial thirty minutes, we performed well, generating promising opportunitie—[then]] they scored, inevitably from a set piece once more" “One might question whether [Forest player Dan Ndoye, who was offside] was obstructing [Liverpool's goalkeeper] Alisson, but the goal was allowe; thus,s we trailed 1-0."
Describing it as having been an "arduous day," the Dutch defender further mentioned, "In general, our performance was subpar with respect to battles, challenges, and the overall fight—overly hasty. The existing situation is quite challenging.
Van Dijk acknowledged that "there was a sense of unease" within the Liverpool team following the concession of the first goal, but not before that. "
He went on to say, "We attempted to accelerate the game, which is understandable when facing adversity. We won't resolve this issue merely by discussing it. It will necessitate substantial effort.
"It's a problem. Each member of the team must also accept accountability. Football is a collaborative endeavour; we all participate jointly, and we require everyone to perform at their peak. Now, we must process this and accept the setback. We need to exert greater effort. We must persevere."
During the last campaign, in which they eventually won the title, Liverpool's only defeat at their home stadium was against Forest, who managed a 1-0 victory.
On this occasion, the Reds suffered their biggest-ever loss to the Tricky Trees at one of the most intimidating stadiums in football, and this was also Liverpool's most crushing defeat at home since Manchester City defeated them 4-1 back in 2021.
Despite having lost to the same club for the second time in just as many seasons, Van Dijk seemed extremely unhappy about how the Reds had been defeated this time.
He stated, "Everyone is feeling the disappointment, as they should, as it is completely unacceptable in my opinion to lose to Nottingham Forest at home—and that is putting it mildly.”
“The goals that we let in were far too easy, and it is up to everyone to take a good, hard look at themselves. I have been a part of this team for a considerable amount of time, and we have definitely had some challenging times before. We will get back on track, but this cannot be accomplished in the blink of an eye. I am not one to give up, and we will continue to push forward.
“I am in no position to pass judgment on the supporters’ decision to leave before the match ends. I am aware that the fans have stood by us through both good times and bad. When we finally overcome this difficult period, they will continue to support us because we will eventually come out on the other side. "
Liverpool have suffered six defeats in their last seven league matches, which is the same number of defeats that they had in the 58 matches before that. The two out of three defeats that they have experienced at Anfield are also the same number of defeats that they experienced in the 53 matches before that.
This terrible performance by the reigning champions has inevitably resulted in a lot of pressure being placed on Liverpool's manager, Slot, who conceded after the game that Forest "performed exceptionally well today" but insisted that "losing a game 3-0 at home is not the standard that we hold ourselves to.”
He said, "It is difficult to truly assess how terrible [the outcome is], but it was definitely very bad, of course. Playing in front of our home fans and suffering a 3-0 defeat, irrespective of the club you are competing against, is without a doubt a very, very, very disappointing outcome.
“We should all feel very disheartened, but we are also mindful of the fact that the Champions League is rapidly approaching in a few days.”
Slot continued by saying, "We conceded a goal from a set piece, which had a major impact on the game's momentum and its overall course. After that, we really struggled to find the gaps and opportunities that we had been successful in finding during the first thirty minutes of the game.
“I made an effort to implement a few adjustments and changes, but they did not produce the desired outcomes. This is a tremendous letdown. When things are not going according to plan, it is ultimately my responsibility. "
VIRGIL VAN DIJK DEMANDS TOTAL FOCUS AHEAD OF BRUTAL ARSENAL AWAY CLASH
Virgil van Dijk demands a "battle" mindset as Liverpool travel to Arsenal. Analyse the Reds' tactics after their draw with Fulham.
Virgil van Dijk isn’t sugarcoating it—he wants Liverpool ready for a real battle when they head to Arsenal on Thursday. The Reds’ captain says this is exactly the kind of match that should get everyone fired up, especially with their unbeaten streak on the line.
Sunday’s draw at Fulham still stings a bit. Harrison Reed pulled off a last-minute screamer to tie it at 2-2, just after Cody Gakpo’s goal looked like it had wrapped up the win for Liverpool. That result makes two straight draws in 2026.
Now, Liverpool faces the team everyone’s chasing—Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s squad is six points clear of Manchester City and a big fourteen points ahead of Liverpool, who hold third, three points above Chelsea.
Van Dijk isn’t letting the setback at Fulham drag them down. He wants the squad in the right mindset for the trip to the Emirates. “We’ll shake this off, and from Tuesday we’ll start focusing on what Arsenal does well. They’ve got quality all over the pitch—starting and off the bench,” he said.
He knows the challenge ahead. “They haven’t lost at home this season, in any competition. That makes it a great test, and we need to be up for it. I can’t wait, honestly. Everyone should be looking forward to games like this. It’s another big chance for us.”
As it stands, Liverpool sits three points ahead of Chelsea, who managed a late draw against Manchester City thanks to Enzo Fernández. Van Dijk sees the Fulham result as proof that the Premier League is tougher than ever.
“The second half was good. We did everything we could to win and really pushed hard. Playing here is never easy, and yeah, it’s disappointing to concede a goal like that at the end. But that’s football,” he said.
“That’s the Premier League for you. Every game’s a grind. Fulham has made it tough for a lot of teams this season—today was no different.
“We found our urgency in the second half, got ourselves back into it, but then lost it in the final seconds. That hurts.”
He admits it’s easy to focus on the negatives after a result like this, but he wants the team looking ahead. “You have to find the positives and take them into the next match. That’s just how it is.
“Honestly, if you look at the squad, Gakpo had to fill in up front, and we had five midfielders behind him. That’s the reality right now. But we keep fighting. We keep moving. Arsenal’s up next.”
ANALYSIS: FLORIAN WIRTZ VS VAR—THE TACTICAL BREAKDOWN OF LIVERPOOL’S CONTROVERSIAL EQUALIZING GOAL
Florian Wirtz scores a controversial goal, but Harrison Reed’s 30-yard screamer denies Liverpool victory. Read the full analysis.
Florian Wirtz figured he was offside when he scored that hotly debated goal in Liverpool’s wild 2-2 draw with Fulham. Arne Slot’s side had been chasing the game after Harry Wilson put Fulham ahead in the first half, but Wirtz got Liverpool back on level terms just before the hour.
Right after he scored, the linesman’s flag shot up. Wirtz looked offside when Conor Bradley slid the ball through to him. Even the replays seemed to back that up. But after a VAR check, the referee gave the goal.
Wirtz didn’t even celebrate at first. “I was sure it was offside, so I didn’t celebrate. I was happy to score, but honestly, I’d rather have the three points.”
Liverpool almost snatched all three when Cody Gakpo scored four minutes into stoppage time. But then Harrison Reed stepped up, grabbed the ball 30 yards out, and smashed it into the top corner just three minutes later. An absolute rocket.
Wirtz didn’t hide his frustration. “Not satisfied at all. We need points, and we wanted three points today. There’s no easy game in this league.
“We stepped it up in the second half. The intensity was much better. In the first half, our pressing was off, but after halftime, we improved.”
Talking about Reed’s goal, Wirtz just shook his head. “What can you say? It was unbelievable. You can’t save that.
“Normally, shots like that don’t go in. Maybe the actions before could’ve been better. It came from a throw-in, so we need to be sharper.
“We’re in a tough spot—two draws in a row. That’s not what we want. We have to get better, but it’s still a process.”
Arne Slot didn’t try to sugarcoat it. “If it had ended 1-1, I’d still be disappointed, but to be 2-1 up in stoppage time and then concede... it hurts.
“That shot was incredible. At 1-1, we brought Chiesa on to go for the win and then got ourselves ahead, but then we had to defend a long throw.
“We put Gomez on because he’s strong in the air, but they went short instead of long, and then—bang—what a strike.
“It’s not the first time this season we’ve let goals in at the very end. We’ve dropped so many points like this.
“It’s tough. Frustrating, too, that their first real chance went in. That’s happened before. They had another when Alisson was out, and they hit the bar, but apart from that, we kept it pretty tight away from home.
“We didn’t create loads of chances either, to be honest. Right before their first goal, we had a similar chance and almost scored.
“It keeps happening—just not enough. We’ve relied on luck all season, good and bad, and that has to change.
“We need to reach a point where a last-minute shot doesn’t mean we drop points. That’s our focus, but we’re not there yet.
“I liked the second half a lot more than the first. We controlled things, created chances—two disallowed goals, hit the bar, and scored one. That’s what you want, especially with so many attacking players missing.
“Sometimes, these guys deserve a break, but we’re not getting it. In the end, we can only blame ourselves.”
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