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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table 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 every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start 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 Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary 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 it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede 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 turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged 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 Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”