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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, 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 opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team 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 dealing with facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” 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 press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”