Virgil van Dijk reportedly “shook with anger” discussing his Liverpool teammates after the 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
Arne Slot‘s men have now lost six out of 12 games in the Premier League this season, as well as eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
For Van Dijk, it is his toughest period as captain on the pitch, with the Dutchman even falling below his world-class best of late.
• DEBATE: How long does Arne Slot have to turn it around at Liverpool?
According to the *Guardian*‘s Andy Hunter, Van Dijk “shook with anger” in the Anfield tunnel after the loss to Forest on Saturday, belying his usual cool demeanour.
This claim emerges after the 34-year-old’s brutally honest assessment of Liverpool’s defeat and overall form that has left them 11th in the Premier League table.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk after during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“You should be angry,” Van Dijk said.
“The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.”
When asked about whether that is happening or not, Van Dijk added: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do.
“It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”
Virgil van Dijk’s greatest challenge at Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Van Dijk has enjoyed so many great moments in nearly eight years at Liverpool, cementing his place among the true greats throughout history.
There have been some huge challenges along the way, not least the tragic passing of Diogo Jota back in July, but this is currently his greatest on-pitch battle, and he discussed the situation on Saturday.
“We are definitely letting him (Slot) down but we’ve let ourselves down as well,” he said.
“You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“As the champions we can’t be in the situation we are in right now. What are we going to do about it?
“We’re going to try to turn it around and that’s the mentality everyone should have.”
Van Dijk now has the giant task of galvanising a squad lacking confidence and mentality, finding the right balance between critical and constructive.
It is encouraging that the skipper is aware of how unacceptable Liverpool’s form is, and they couldn’t ask for a better leader to get them out of this mess.