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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 disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player 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 saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty 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 during a tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”