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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half 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 performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're 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 present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate 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 key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, 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 turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”