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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud 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 everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want 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

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack 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 accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”