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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half 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.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first 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 the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act 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 gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”