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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it 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 off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone 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 effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, 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 those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”