Meltdown on Messyside as furious skipper Virgil gives Slot's softies both barrels

UNACCEPTABLE. Tough to take. Panic. Angry. A mess. Losing battles. Basic things.

- BY ANDY DUNN

Not the words of a pundit who sees only a crisis in a string of bad results, not the words of a supporter who thinks his elite side is not allowed to lose at home, no matter how accomplished the opponents' performance.

No, the words of Liverpool's captain, the team's leader, the players' representative, the club's figurehead on the field.

In his initial televised response to the loss to Nottingham Forest, Virgil van Dijk was suitably critical of his side's performance. Later, he suggested a deeper malaise had set into Arne Slot's Premier League champions.

No names were named but the implication was clear. Some - or all - are not pulling their weight. Attitudes need to be examined.

"At the moment it is a mess. That is just a fact," said Van Dijk. "We are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. You should be angry.

"When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It's basic things but it's not happening enough.

"You have to be mentally strong and keep going. But we didn't do that."