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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first 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 media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have 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 everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character 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 numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. 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 I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”