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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors 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 take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “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 want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting 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 face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring 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.”

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 Champions League. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”