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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”