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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair 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 fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship 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 enduring numerous challenges over those years 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.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”