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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal 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 facing facts 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 failing the manager, 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 just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again 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 recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”