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

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, 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 “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent 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 maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season 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 this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty 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 tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring 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 midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”