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

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope 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. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another game 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.”