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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener 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 game you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, 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: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish 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 extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“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 eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”