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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's woeful 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.

The Dutch defender 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. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly 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 mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” 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 you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have 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 all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again 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. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”