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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility 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 lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely 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 moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”