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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first 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 the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible 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 unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years 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.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”