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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” 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.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”