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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles 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 point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”