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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set 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 Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he 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 tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems 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 motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles 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 you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”