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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked 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 tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough 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. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”