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Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’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. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial 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 Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking 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 all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“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 eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”