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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, 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 labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers 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 avoid blaming others.

“Show character 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 enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, 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 improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”