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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing 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 £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”