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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne 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 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility 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 effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”