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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate 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 key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. 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 want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk 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 accept duty to turn this around 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 have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”