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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled 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 Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal 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 facing facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room 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, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”