Forest loss led to honest conversations between Liverpool players, says Cody Gakpo

Liverpool face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday

Cody Gakpo said the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest embarrassed Liverpool's players. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo admitted “honest” words had been exchanged among the squad about recent poor performances.

Following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest – which the Netherlands international said embarrassed the players – captain Virgil van Dijk called for individuals to take more personal responsibility.

A month ago the centre-back called a players’ meeting after a home defeat to Manchester United but despite an eighth loss in 11 matches Gakpo said there was nothing as formal this time.

“After the game on Saturday it was a kind of embarrassment because we lost 3-0 at home in front of our own fans, which is not good,” said the Dutchman, who will face former club PSV Eindhoven for the second successive season in the Champions League.

“In the days after that, we were, I don’t want to say angry, but we tried to speak together and be honest with each other what we have to do to perform better on the pitch.

“Everybody is aware we have to take responsibility on and off the pitch. This was a conversation you have with a team-mate.

“It wasn’t really a ‘meeting’ meeting but we are aware we have to take responsibility, that we have to do better with certain things on the pitch. That’s what we spoke about.

“We are honest because otherwise there’s no point in speaking. We also know we have to stick together and that’s what we will try to do again to put in good performances and get wins.

“The coach takes responsibility but the players have a big responsibility to ourselves and the manager and the fans.

“We know what we can do but we aren’t letting it be seen.”