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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”