He’s clearly not ready,He should have not been started in a crucial match like this..well! I don’t blame him I blame the coach who made this call and now We are all paying for it” Liverpool Captain Virgil van dijk gives Verdict after Liverpool 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest today.

“He’s Clearly Not Ready… I Don’t Blame Him, I Blame the Coach” — Virgil van Dijk Gives Brutal Verdict After Liverpool’s Shocking 3–0 Loss to Nottingham Forest

Liverpool’s nightmare evening at the City Ground has sparked major controversy within the club, as captain Virgil van Dijk reportedly voiced his frustration over Arne Slot’s team selection following a humiliating 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Reds, who entered the game as favourites, produced one of their worst performances of the season — disorganized in defence, disconnected in midfield, and almost invisible in attack. But what happened after the match is what is now dominating the headlines.

According to dressing-room sources, van Dijk did not hold back when asked about the performance of the inexperienced player who started in the crucial fixture.

Van Dijk: “He’s clearly not ready.”

In a brutally honest assessment, the Liverpool captain is said to have stated:

“He’s clearly not ready. He should not have been started in a crucial match like this. Well… I don’t blame him. I blame the coach who made this call, and now we are all paying for it.”

The comments immediately caused shockwaves among fans and pundits, as Van Dijk — usually diplomatic and calm — rarely criticizes his team publicly, let alone the manager’s decisions.

A Risky Selection That Backfired

Before kickoff, many supporters already questioned Arne Slot’s surprising lineup, especially the decision to start a young, inexperienced player in a decisive Premier League fixture where Liverpool absolutely needed the points.

The gamble proved costly.

The youngster struggled throughout the match:

• Lost key duels that led to Forest counterattacks

• Misplaced simple passes under pressure

• Was caught out of position during two of the goals

• Seemed overwhelmed by the intensity of the game

While fans sympathized with the player — acknowledging that he was put in a difficult situation — the criticism quickly shifted to Slot for setting him up to fail.

Van Dijk Shields the Player, Criticizes the Decision

To his credit, van Dijk did not attack the player personally. Instead, he emphasized that the responsibility lies elsewhere:

“He shouldn’t have been put in that situation. It’s on the coach to protect players, especially the ones who are still developing.”

This statement reveals a deeper concern within the squad: that Slot’s rotation and tactical decisions may be causing uncertainty and instability at a critical point in the season.

Fans Furious: “Why experiment now?”

Liverpool supporters took to social media immediately after the match to express frustration:

• “This was not the game to experiment with the lineup.”

• “That selection cost us the match.”

• “Arne Slot needs to stop forcing players into roles they are not ready for.”

Some even pointed out that Liverpool had experienced players fully fit on the bench — making the decision even more baffling.

Pressure Mounts on Arne Slot

The loss not only damages Liverpool’s Premier League hopes but also places massive pressure on Arne Slot, who is already under scrutiny for inconsistent team selections and questionable tactical changes.

Critics are now openly asking:

• Why start a player who has shown he is not physically or mentally ready for such a match?

• Why risk a crucial league fixture when Liverpool cannot afford to drop points?

• Why ignore senior players who could have provided stability?

Van Dijk’s words reflect a broader dressing-room sentiment: the squad is losing patience.

What This Means Moving Forward

Liverpool now face a dangerous moment in their season:

• Morale is shaken

• Dressing-room tension is rising

• Slot’s authority is being questioned

• Fans are demanding accountability

If Slot does not correct these issues immediately, the season could unravel quickly.

The captain’s rare moment of public frustration shows just how serious the situation is.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was not just a bad result — it exposed deeper structural and managerial issues. And with Virgil van Dijk openly expressing dissatisfaction, the conversation is shifting from the players’ performance to the coach’s decisions.

The coming days will determine whether this is a temporary setback… or the beginning of real trouble at Anfield.