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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession 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 dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, 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 moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice 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 key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that 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 it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united 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 in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years 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 trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”