🔗 Share this article Van Dijk Admits Squad is in a Mess, Questions Teammates on Accountability Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn. The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone. Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener 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 fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact. Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.” Squad Investment and Team Problems Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable 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. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.” Appeal to Stick Together The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united 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 in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.” Looking Ahead Next up in the domestic 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 how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”