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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’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. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, 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

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “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 difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. 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 confront the hardship 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 those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”