A complicated narrative of duty has emerged at Anfield following Liverpool’s disastrous 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Woodland, with captain Virgil van Dijk and supervisor Arne Slot publicly disagreeing over who’s in charge for the membership’s deepening disaster.
The Reds’ 2025/26 marketing campaign hit a brand new low on Saturday as they suffered their 6th defeat in seven Premier League suits, losing to eleventh within the desk.
The ambience at Anfield used to be poisonous as Woodland tore thru Liverpool, however the post-match response has raised much more eyebrows.
In a deviation from the standard united entrance, a transparent disconnect gave the impression within the post-match interviews, with each the captain and the chief making an attempt to protect the opposite via claiming general legal responsibility for the “mess” the membership unearths itself in.
Whilst typically an indication of cohesion, the conflicting statements spotlight the confusion these days gripping the membership, as neither the squad nor the training personnel appear ready to pinpoint precisely why the identify defenders have collapsed so spectacularly.
Van Dijk insists duty lies with the gamers
Talking to the click instantly after the humiliation at Anfield, a visibly pissed off Virgil van Dijk refused to let his supervisor take the autumn.
The Dutch defender, who used to be a part of the backline that crumbled in opposition to Woodland’s counter-attacks, insisted that the tactical setup used to be no longer the problem, however somewhat the applying and want of the squad.
He stated (by means of Liverpool Echo): “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.
“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.”
(Photograph via Molly Darlington/Getty Pictures)Slot claims he’s only answerable for the losses
Then again, Arne Slot contradicted along with his captain’s overview all over his media tasks and mentioned that the weight is squarely on his personal shoulders.
Slot advised 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.
Slot dismissed suggestions that his squad lacks quality or effort, arguing that his failure to find the right adjustments was the catalyst for the defeat. “I tried to adjust a few things, but it didn’t work out. We weren’t able to create enough, and that falls on me to find the solution.”
Slot given till New Yr’s as attainable sack looms
In spite of Slot’s willingness to take the blame, the Anfield hierarchy might quickly make the verdict for him.
In line with dependable insider, the Liverpool hierarchy are totally backing Slot for now however the Dutchman has till New Years to show issues round or else, FSG won’t shy clear of creating a daring resolution.
Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures till New Years:
Liverpool vs PSV
West Ham vs Liverpool
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Leeds vs Liverpool
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Liverpool vs Brighton
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Liverpool vs Wolves
