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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration 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 negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set 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 Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “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 expect 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 Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation 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 effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, 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 weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”