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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

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

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “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 work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team 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 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. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out 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 domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”