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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield 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 latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession 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 facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want 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.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, 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 many adversity 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 Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”