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

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side 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. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are 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 crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned 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 boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation 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 all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“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 Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”