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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

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

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are definitely 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 mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested 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. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” 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. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up 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 tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham 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? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”