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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place 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 tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier 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 what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”