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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're 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 crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. 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 aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier 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 opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, 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.”