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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, 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 unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”