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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set 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.

“There was a productive build-up to the match 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 beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility 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 press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, 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 those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game 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 hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”