Liverpool were thrashed 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday as pressure on Reds boss Arne Slot continues to grow following a dismal run of form in the Premier League
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Arne Slot of Liverpool FC talks to Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at Frankfurt Stadion on October 22, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk have a different view on Liverpool's recent woes
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Liverpool's season hit yet another new low on Saturday as they were humbled by Nottingham Forest in a shocking 3-0 defeat at Anfield. However, there is a good-natured disagreement at the heart of the club as to just who is to blame for the Reds' dire run of form with Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk clashing over where the fault lies.
Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White gave Sean Dyche's side the shock win on Merseyside. The result means that last year's Premier League champions have lost six games from 12 matches this season as the pressure on Slot grows.
Neither manager, players or fans alike saw Liverpool's title defence going quite like this. So, where are Liverpool going wrong? According to Slot, the blame rests entirely on him.
Yet iconic club captain Van Dijk has also shouldered responsibility, insisting the team's poor run 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.
"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."
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool
Arne Slot is under pressure as Liverpool boss(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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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)
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“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 clash 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.
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