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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield 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 observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely 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 crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks 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 player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles 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 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 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 at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”