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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance 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 start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility 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 effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together 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 go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”