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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible 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 tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”