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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked 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 current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely 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 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 duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame 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 when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“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 in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity 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.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”