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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 disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender 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 negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship 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 enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

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. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”