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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop 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 the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “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 mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”