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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’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 deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss 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 Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team 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 three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves 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 difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, 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 exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”