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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders 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 struggled to hold back 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. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player 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 build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, 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 crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing 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.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want 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 they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term 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 this is recognized. We have 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 all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity 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.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”