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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

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

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away 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 definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger 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 answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team 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 tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“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 view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”