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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're definitely 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 difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “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 the collective focus as well.”