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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up 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 left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

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 advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated 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 mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

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