Cody Gakpo has explained the Liverpool squad had to have “honest” conversations with one another after the “embarrassment” that was the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool are firmly in the spotlight amid a torrid run of form which, again, reared its head in the first game back from the international break.

Virgil van Dijk was described as ‘shaking with anger‘, and there was a sense that another team meeting would need to take place, and while it was not formal, Gakpo revealed talks have been had.

“I think everybody is aware we have to take responsibility, on the pitch and also off the pitch,” he told reporters on the eve of his former side’s visit to Anfield.

“This was just a conversation you have with a teammate, there was not really a ‘meeting’.

“We are aware of the fact that we have to take responsibility, that we have to do better in certain things on the pitch.

“That’s what we spoke about and obviously we are honest, because otherwise there is no point in speaking.”

While Arne Slot has ‘taken responsibility‘ for Liverpool’s form, there is still an onus on the players to win their duels, make the most of their chances and make life difficult for the opposition.

Anfield will expect a response after Saturday’s “embarrassment,” a word Gakpo did not use lightly.

Liverpool squad had “honest” talks after Forest loss

On the most recent defeat, he said: “I think obviously after the game it was kind of an embarrassment because we lost 3-0 at home in front of our own fans, which is not good because we know they are here to help us in every tough situation.

“But we have to give them something back as well, so that was not a good feeling, obviously.

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“I think in the days after that, I don’t want to say ‘angry’ but we try to speak together and really to be honest with each other [about] what we have to do better to perform better on the pitch.

“But we know that we also have to stick together and that’s what we will try to do every game again. And to put in good performances and get wins.”

Liverpool, for better or worse, do not have long to lament on results with PSV’s visit starting a run of six games in 18 days.