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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players 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 Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish 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 maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable 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 effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool 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.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”