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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece 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 disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”