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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough 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 emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million 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 maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”