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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders 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 3-0 home defeat by 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 in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors 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 truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point 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. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges 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 no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”