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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds 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 seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out 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 usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players 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

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“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 in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”