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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession 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 fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period 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 let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want 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 Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”