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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time 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 Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, 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

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility 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 not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”