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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain 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.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone 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 want the players to do. It's challenging 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 strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again 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 recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”