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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation 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 everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring 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 no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic 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 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 I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”