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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender 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 Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury 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.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship 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 enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”