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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by 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 in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession 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 fixture you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first 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.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect 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.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”