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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede 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 turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment 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 easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”