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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled 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 “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, 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 moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “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 must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers 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 have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man 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 going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”