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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

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 present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession 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 fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely 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.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. 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 challenging 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 that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers 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 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 in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”