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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set 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 productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” 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 crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity 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

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”