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

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. 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 fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“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 Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”