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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section 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 seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart 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 the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half 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 support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “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 aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”