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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal 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 set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, 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 mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season 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 recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

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

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”