WHO IS TO BLAME? VAN DIJK SAYS PLAYERS MUST SUPPORT SLOT BETTER NOW
Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool players are "letting down" coach Arne Slot and must "take responsibility" after a dismal home defeat to Nottingham Forest. The captain called for calm and simplicity to fix their crisis.
Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, says his team needs to simplify things to fix their current drop in the standings after they lost badly at home to Nottingham Forest, which equalled their worst home loss in the Premier League era.
Van Dijk mentions that the Liverpool players are currently failing themselves and their coach, Arne Slot, because there are problems everywhere on the field. The Reds now have more goals scored against them than they have scored in the league, and they are likely to let in 63 goals this season, which is just two fewer than Spurs allowed last season under Ange Postecoglou when they finished 17th.
"I don't think the first thirty minutes were bad at all, but after they scored, we seemed too hasty and worried in our playing style until halftime, trying to force things," Van Dijk told reporters at Anfield.
"They scored a goal that wasn't counted, but the way we began the second half was not acceptable, so it ended up being a very, very, very disappointing afternoon for us.
"It's difficult to handle, but it's the truth. I won't give up, and we'll keep trying, but that doesn't mean it's easy to accept what is happening.
"We talked at halftime about what we wanted to achieve, but then we allowed a very easy goal. When you're down 2-0, the situation changes completely."
Nottingham Forest outplayed and deservedly defeated Liverpool, showing worrying signs for the team. Although they started strong, the Reds seemed to fall apart after conceding a goal, and they haven't gained any points this season when they let in the first goal.
"It's a mix of things," Van Dijk explained. "The first thirty minutes were good. We made chances and had moments where we crossed the ball in front of Mats Selz—Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) was ready for a shot, and Milenkovic made a great block.
"We played well, but then we conceded a goal, and panic set in. It's a team problem, and we need to try and stay calm and make the right plays.
"Halftime arrives, and we discuss doing the right things, but we don't do them. That is hard to accept and deal with.
"We have every right to be angry. The most important thing for me is that everyone needs to be responsible. You have to do that. That is the main thing I want the boys to do.
"It's not easy when times are tough, but we have to do it if we want to overcome this situation."
Now that Liverpool has lost as many Premier League games as it has won this season, it is in the lower half of the league. With little hope of winning the title, it is struggling to qualify for the Champions League as things stand.
"We're trying to be consistent, but we let in too many goals to even talk about it right now," Van Dijk added. "We had some good days of practice and some helpful meetings.
"But ultimately, it's about what you do on the field. We gave up a goal, and then we weren't good for 15 minutes.
"The second half began, and then we were down 2-0. It's obviously a totally different situation. We played against Forest, who won physical battles against us.
"I want everyone to take responsibility on the field. You have to do that to help each other improve.
"When someone is putting pressure on, you need to support that pressure. These are basic things, but they don't happen enough. We need to get back to that, and it's easier to focus on yourself rather than the team when things aren't going well."
Alexander Isak wasn't noticeable but needs games to get back up to speed, while Ibrahima Konate's worrying form continued—like Liverpool as a whole, starting strong but quickly declining.
"In the days before the game, we prepared very well for three or four days," Van Dijk said. "During the game, you have to deal with what's happening, and we conceded from a set piece in the first half and gave up a bad second goal at the start of the second half.
"If we are letting [Arne Slot] down, we definitely are. We are also letting ourselves down. That is why I said to look at yourself first and then help others. Right now, things are a mess; that's just how it is.
"As the champions, we shouldn't be in the situation we're in now. But it's the reality. So what are we going to do about it? We're going to try to change things. That's the attitude everyone should have.
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"The consistency we had last year was amazing, but the truth is, we don't have any consistency this year. We let in too many goals, and we don't score enough.
"We are losing battles, and everyone is responsible. I hope everyone sees that. We must take responsibility to turn things around. It's easy to blame others, but we have to do it together.
"We were united when we won the league, and everyone was happy. When you go through a difficult time, you have to stick together and face the challenges.
"Right now, it's exhausting. But there's no other option. Wednesday is another game, so what am I going to do? Go home and cry? No, I'm going home to think about how we can change things."
ANFIELD EXIT SIGNS: WHY SALAH’S FOREST FRUSTRATION SUGGESTS HIS LIVERPOOL CHAPTER IS FINALLY CLOSING
Anfield tension: Discover why Mohamed Salah was subbed for Rio Ngumoha and how his 9-game drought threatens Liverpool's top four.
Mohamed Salah just hasn’t looked like himself this season at Liverpool. Against Nottingham Forest, you could see his frustration all over his face.
Not long ago, things seemed to be turning around for him. Salah had started scoring again. In his last five games, he picked up four assists and a goal. It looked like maybe he was back.
But in the Forest game, Liverpool actually looked sharper after Salah went off and Rio Ngumoha came on. Ngumoha brought so much energy that he changed the whole vibe of the attack. Salah clearly wasn’t happy about getting subbed, even though it was the right call from Arne Slot.
Let’s be honest, who looks pleased when they get taken off? It always kicks off a load of speculation, with people watching for every tiny sign that something’s wrong, over-analysing every shrug or frown. But really, Salah just looked disappointed in his own performance and in the fact that Liverpool were still level with Forest. It probably wasn’t just about getting hooked.
Still, even with Salah’s recent improvement, it feels like his time at Anfield is winding down. It’s rare for a player to leave on a high note. The rumours about MLS and Saudi Arabia aren’t going away, and you get the sense he won’t be any different.
On BBC Five Live, Clinton Morrison didn’t hold back. He said if Salah and Liverpool keep playing like this, forget about the Champions League. “There are still some big problems there, aren’t there?” he told Rick Edwards. “Salah didn’t look happy again.”
Edwards agreed, saying, “If Liverpool play like that for the rest of the season, they’re not getting Champions League. And Salah didn’t look happy again, did he?”
Morrison pointed out how lively Ngumoha was when he came on, setting up a disallowed goal and sparking the team. “Salah didn’t do any of that at all,” he said.
Edwards pressed on, “I think there’s still a big issue there, isn’t there?”
Morrison agreed. “Yeah, well, he hasn’t scored in nine Premier League matches now. It’s his longest run without a goal. I don’t think things are harmonious behind the scenes between him and Arne Slot. We saw hints of it before Christmas, with that ‘throw me under the bus’ comment and then the apology. He looked grumpy about being subbed, but if you’re playing badly, you’re going to get subbed. That’s just how it goes.”
WHY BAYERN BELIEVE LIVERPOOL ALREADY SECURED A PERSONAL DEAL WITH YAN DIOMANDE
Football news: Diomande to Liverpool. Get the report on Leipzig’s price tag and Bayern’s secret plan for Gakpo.
Bayern Munich think Yan Diomande already has a deal lined up with Liverpool for a summer move to Anfield, at least according to recent reports.
Liverpool wants Diomand,e too. They see him as the perfect long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. Their manager, Arne Slot, and sporting director, Richard Hughes, are both on board with the idea. Fraser Fletcher from TEAMtalk broke the news back in December 2025, and he’s usually reliable.
But it won’t be cheap. Sources say RB Leipzig want at least €100 million for Diomande. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger only joined Leipzig from Leganes last summer, so they’re not in a rush to sell.
Bayern are definitely interested, but word out of Munich is they’re convinced Liverpool already have something agreed with the player. That info comes from Bayern Space, a well-followed and respected account on X. They’ve got 32,500 followers, and even journalists like Lewis Steele from The Daily Mail trust their updates.
Here’s where things get interesting. Bayern Space doubled down on their Diomande claims, but they also say Bayern have turned their attention to Cody Gakpo as Plan B for the left wing. Apparently, some inside the club believe Gakpo could really thrive in the Bundesliga, similar to what Luis Díaz has done. And now, some of Bayern’s board members are starting to think the Premier League club with a personal agreement for Diomande has to be Liverpool. They don’t have concrete proof, just a strong feeling based on what they’re hearing from people close to Gakpo’s camp.
The irony? If Bayern spend up to £65 million to sign Gakpo from Liverpool, they’d basically be handing Liverpool the money to buy Diomande, the very player who turned them down in the first place. That’s how quickly things can flip at the top of the transfer market. Some people at Bayern say they’d be fine with it if Gakpo delivers right away on the pitch.
But what are Liverpool’s plans for Gakpo? That’s still up for debate. Bayern Space is adamant Bayern want him, but Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider says the German club aren’t planning to go after the Dutch forward.
O’Rourke thinks Liverpool could sell Gakpo this summer, but he’s not convinced Bayern will be the buyers. He points out that last summer, Bayern had to choose between Gakpo and Díaz for the left wing; they went with Díaz, and it’s worked out great. Díaz has settled in quickly and become a key player for Vincent Kompany’s team, basically locking down that left side.
Gakpo’s versatile; he can play anywhere up front, so you can see why Bayern would keep tabs on him. But O’Rourke doesn't think he’s a top priority for them at the moment. And Liverpool aren’t desperate to sell either, especially since they’re a bit short on left-sided attackers.
If Liverpool do sign another left winger this summer, maybe that could open the door for Gakpo to leave. But he’s under contract until 2030, and, by all accounts, he’s happy at Liverpool even if he gets some criticism from fans for his performances. Arne Slot clearly rates him, since he keeps giving him game time.