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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger 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. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, 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 present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around 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.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”