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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. 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 want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment 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 recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man 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 Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”