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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match 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 “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly 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 mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”