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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation 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. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”