Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool players are letting Arne Slot down with 'facts' claim

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says his team must go back to basics to address the concerning slide down the table that it is currently experiencing after a joint-heaviest home defeat in the Premier League era against Nottingham Forest.

Van Dijk says Liverpool's players are letting both themselves and head coach Arne Slot down at the moment, with issues all over the field. The Reds now have a negative goal difference in the league and are on course to concede 63 times at the current rate: only two fewer than 17th-placed Spurs let in last season under Ange Postecoglou.

"I think the first half an hour was not bad at all, actually, but after we conceded a goal, up until half-time, we were too rushed and nervous in the way we play, trying to force things," Van Dijk told reporters at Anfield.

"They obviously scored the goal that was disallowed but the way we started the second half was unacceptable, so it was a very, very, very disappointing afternoon.

"It is something that is hard to take but it is the reality. I'm not a quitter and we will keep going, but it doesn't mean it isn't tough to take.

"We discussed at half-time what we want to do, but then you concede such an easy goal. At 2-0 down, it is a totally different story again."

Outfought and deservedly beaten by Nottingham Forest, there were worrying signs for Liverpool. Despite starting well, the Reds appeared to collapse after going a goal down — and they haven't earned any points yet when conceding first this season.

"It's a combination [of factors]," Van Dijk said. "First half an hour, it was good. We created opportunities and had moments where we had crosses in front of Mats Selz — Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) was there for a shot and it was a great block from Milenkovic.

"We were good, but then we obviously conceded and the panic kicks in. It is a team thing and we have to try and stay calm and do the right things.

"Half-time comes and we speak about doing the right things, but then we don't do that. That's a difficult thing to accept.

"We should be angry. The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility. You have to do that. That is the main thing I want the boys to do.

"It is not easy when it is difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this."

Now having lost as many Premier League fixtures as it has won this season, Liverpool is sat in the bottom half of the table. Surely out of contention for the title, it is facing a battle to make the Champions League spots as things stand.

"We are trying to find consistency but we concede far too many goals to even speak about it at the moment," Van Dijk continued. "We had a good couple of days of sessions and good meetings.

"But at the end of the day, it is about what you show on the pitch. We conceded and then we weren't good for 15 minutes.

"The second half started and then we are 2-0 down. It is obviously a completely different ballgame. We played against Forest who was winning physical battles against us.

"What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. You have to do that to make each other better.

"When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. Basic things, but it doesn't happen enough. We have to get back to that and it is easier to think about your own situation rather than the collective side when things are not going well."

Alexander Isak was anonymous but needs matches to get himself up to speed, while Ibrahima Konate continued his worrying spell — like Liverpool collectively, starting well, but quickly seeing his performance level drop.

"The days before the game, we had a great three or four days of preparation," Van Dijk said. "In the game, you are dealing with facts and the facts are that we conceded from a set-piece in the first half and a terrible second goal at the start of the second half.

"In terms of if we are letting [Arne Slot] down, we are definitely letting him down. We are letting ourselves down as well. That is why I said that you look at yourself first, and then you help each other. At the moment, it is a mess; that is just a fact.

"As the champions, you can't be in the situation we are in now. But it is a fact. So what are we going to do about it? We are going to try and turn this around. That is the mentality that everyone should have.

"The consistency that we had last year was incredible but the fact is, this year we don't have any consistency. We concede far too many goals and we don't score enough.

"We are losing battles and everyone is responsible. I hope everyone sees that. We have to take the responsibility to turn this around. It is easy to point fingers, but we have to do it together.

"We were together when we won the league and everyone was happy. Then when you go through a tough time, you have to stick together as well and face the toughness.

"At the moment, it is tiring. But there is no other way. Wednesday is another game, so what am I going to do? Go home and cry? No, I'm going home to think about how we can turn this around."