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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance 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 opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, 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 just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “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 want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m 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. The captain 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 field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league 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 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 those years 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.”

Next Fixtures

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