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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne 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 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million 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 problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a tough time 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 surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday 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.”