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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks 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 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 be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys 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

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”