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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’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 sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper 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 – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame 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 avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”