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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss 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 drop 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 the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely 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 crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. 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 avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”