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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain 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 negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. 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: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply 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 midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”