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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession 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 facing reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, 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 mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season 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 reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

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: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”