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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning 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 negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to improve collectively. 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 allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges 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.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, 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.”