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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 manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back 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 present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled 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 concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”