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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable 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

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title 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 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 view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged 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 domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”