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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, 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: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

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