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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity 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 only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”