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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”