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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”