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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described 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 productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy 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 avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club 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.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”