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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, 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 Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame 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. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”