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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of the club'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 frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked 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 productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out 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 media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” 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 tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame 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. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”