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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up 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 left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, 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 opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great 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 terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”