Liverpool's recent form has been nothing short of disastrous, sparking serious concern amongst fans and pundits alike. After a crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, the Reds have slumped to their sixth loss in seven Premier League games, a run of form that sees them languishing in the bottom half of the table. This marks their worst start to a season since 2014, leaving many questioning the direction of the team under new manager Arne Slot.
Neville's Harsh Verdict
Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has pulled no punches in his assessment of Liverpool's current predicament. He described the team's drop-off in performance as "unacceptable," highlighting the "severity and immediacy" of the decline as a major worry for Slot.
"What is unusual is the severity and immediacy of the drop, and the worrying signs that are appearing," Neville stated on his podcast. "A blip is losing one or two games, when you start losing three and four you have to do something."
Van Dijk Demands Accountability
Adding to the sense of crisis, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly criticised his teammates, demanding that everyone at the club take responsibility for the team's poor performances. Van Dijk admitted that the champions are in a mess and letting down Arne Slot, questioning whether every player is fully committed to the cause.
"We are definitely letting him [Slot] down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well," said Van Dijk. "You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this."
Forest's Resilient Performance
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche praised his players for embracing the "ugly side of the game" in their impressive victory at Anfield. Dyche highlighted the team's physicality and defensive graft as key factors in securing the win, which lifted Forest out of the relegation zone.
"Now they are committed to the cause. You wouldn't be a Premier League player if you don't have talent, but what about the hard yards? The ugly side of the game? And staying focused on what the job is – I thought that was excellent," Dyche told reporters.
With pressure mounting on Arne Slot and Liverpool facing a tough run of fixtures, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether they can turn their season around.