EPL: Players have let Slot down as Liverpool crisis deepens – Van Dijk

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says the team is letting their manager Arne Slot down after another poor result, a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool have lost six of their last seven league games, sliding into the bottom half of the table. This comes after the club spent nearly £450 million ($590 million) on new players.

“We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down too,” Van Dijk said. “We need to take responsibility, help each other, and get out of this mess. As champions, we shouldn’t be in this position.

We have to turn it around.”
None of Liverpool’s expensive summer signings have made a positive impact. Alexander Isak, who cost £125 million, has yet to score a league goal. Some of last season’s champions, like Van Dijk’s defensive partner Ibrahima Konate, are also struggling.

Van Dijk added: “Everyone must take responsibility on the pitch. We won the league together, and now we have to face tough times together, again and again.”
Liverpool have performed better in the Champions League, winning three of four games. Their next match at Anfield is against PSV Eindhoven.
Slot Takes Responsibility

Manager Arne Slot also accepted blame for Liverpool’s poor run, calling the 3-0 defeat their joint-worst home loss in the Premier League. Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White gave Nottingham Forest a shock win.

Slot said: “I am responsible for the losses. No excuses. We need to look at where we can improve, and I believe there is a way out with the quality players we have.”

Despite losing, Slot felt Liverpool played well in the first half but failed to convert chances. “It’s tough when you miss your own chances and then concede. That’s what happened.”

Liverpool now sit 11th in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal, with their title defense in serious trouble.