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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” 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 Premier League this season.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out 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 trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, 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.”