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.
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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."
ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER
With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.
Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.
He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.
Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.
Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.
The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.
Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”
He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.
Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.
When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”
LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE
Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.
Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.
Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.
Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.
On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.
Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.
Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.
Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.
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