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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked 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 current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”