🔗 Share this article Van Dijk Admits Team Faces Crisis, Questions Teammates on Accountability Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump. Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone. “Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses The captain labeled 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 goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season. “We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact. Captain’s Challenge: Step Up The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.” Summer Signings and Broader Issues The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking 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 all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame 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 must remain united and not point fingers. “You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.” Next Fixtures Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”