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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” 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 productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're 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 present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

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 much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, 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 all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness 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 going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “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 improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”