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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger 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. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team 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 three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, 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 if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”