Following Liverpool’s poor run of form, captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a candid and introspective message to his teammates and fans alike. The Dutch defender admitted that everyone in the squad must take responsibility, saying:
Everyone has to look in the mirror, including myself.
His comments come amid what one can describe as one of Liverpool’s toughest spells in recent seasons, with four losses in their last five Premier League matches. Reflecting on the defensive lapses that cost them against United and again in the 3–2 defeat at Brentford as reported by Softfootball, Van Dijk pointed to the team’s collective errors. He said:
We worked so hard to get back into the game, but if you concede a second goal like that, that’s the disappointing part.
The skipper admitted the Reds have been too rushed in possession and are making wrong decisions, leaving them exposed in transitions, a problem Arne Slot’s side appeared to fix briefly during their 5–1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, as reported by Softfootball.
Van Dijk’s message, however, went beyond tactics. The 34-year-old urged unity within the dressing room and called on fans to stand by the team during this rough patch, as posted by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. He said, reminding supporters of last season’s title celebrations at Anfield:
It’s not only us as players but also together with our fans and everyone who wants us to win.
His appeal aligns with his earlier remarks in a Softfootball feature, where he warned that this campaign would test Liverpool’s mentality more than ever.
Despite the growing criticism from pundits like Jamie Carragher and Craig Burley, Van Dijk remains steadfast:
We won’t get out of this just by talking about it. We will try to improve.
With key Champions League and Premier League fixtures on the horizon, his leadership and composure could be crucial in guiding Liverpool back to stability.
