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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings 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 loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely 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 crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys 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 summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” 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 effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk 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 trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together 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 confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring 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 PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”