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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”