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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain described 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 current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match 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 challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods 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 replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player 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 have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, 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 tempting to point fingers 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 have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”