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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain 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. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with 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 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 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: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect 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 invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”