Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and manager Arne Slot have differing views on responsibility following the Reds' 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk have a different view on Liverpool's recent woes
View 3 Images
Liverpool's season took another turn for the worse on Saturday as they suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat at Anfield to Nottingham Forest. However, there seems to be a healthy dispute within the club about who should shoulder the blame for the Reds' poor run of form, with manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk differing in their views.
Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White handed Sean Dyche's side an unexpected victory on Merseyside. This result means that the reigning Premier League champions have now lost half of their 12 matches this season, increasing the pressure on Slot.
No one, whether it be the manager, players or fans, expected Liverpool's title defence to unfold in this manner. So, where is it all going wrong for Liverpool? According to Slot, he is entirely to blame.
However, legendary club captain Van Dijk has also taken on some of the responsibility, asserting that the team's poor performance is down to those on the pitch.
Speaking after the shock defeat, Slot told the BBC: "If things go well or things go bad, it's my responsibility. We weren't able to create enough. I tried to adjust a few things, but it didn't work out. We were unable to score a goal. You never know in this stadium, if you score a goal, then things can work out.
Asked about conceding early in the second half, the Dutchman added: “Of course, it was damaging. It was already hard to be 1-0 against a team blocking everything.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool
Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"It's that simple. In a few days, we have to play in the Champions League again and then play three Premier League games in a short space. Keep your head up and work incredibly hard. We are trying every single day. It's always helpful to have experienced and quality players. It's not working out at this moment."
Van Dijk, however, has a different perspective on the Reds' ongoing troubles. While Slot appears ready to take the flak, Van Dijk's willingness to let the blame fall at the player's feet instead eagerly demonstrates just why Liverpool chose him to lead the club on the pitch.
He said: “We concede too many easy goals. They scored obviously from a set piece again. You can ask if he was in front of Alisson, but it counted, so we're 1-0 down. We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight, too rushed. It's a very difficult situation at the moment.
“There was nervousness after we conceded, but not before. We tried to rush things and that's human when you're in a difficult moment. We cleared the ones before and in the end, we're in a very difficult moment. We don't get out of it by just speaking about it. It will take a lot of hard work.
Virgil van Dijk looks on
Virgil van Dijk has said that the players need to take responsibility(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
View 3 Images
“It's a problem. Everyone in the team has to take responsibility as well. Football is a team and everyone has to take responsibility. We have to digest this and take it on the chin. We need to work harder. We have to keep going.
“Everyone is disappointed, like they should be, because losing at home to Nottingham Forest is, in my eyes, very bad. That's the least I can say about it."
The Dutch international continued: "Those goals we conceded are far too easy and we all have to look in the mirror. I've been at this club so long now and we've been through adversity. We will bounce back but it doesn't happen overnight. I'm not a quitter and we will keep going.
“I can't decide what the supporters are doing if they leave early. I know the fans have been through thick and thin with us. They will be there with us when we come out of this because we will come out of this."
Next up for Liverpool is a home tie against PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday. They're then back in Premier League action against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, November 30.