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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” 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 allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're 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 present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham 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? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”