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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, confessing 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.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player 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.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough 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 motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have 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 take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase 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 in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”