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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield 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 sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down 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 mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. 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.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, 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 take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“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 eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”