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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly 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 difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, 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 surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”