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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad 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 not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” 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. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting 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 during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”