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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations 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 terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, 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 accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic 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, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”