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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems 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 motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”