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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures 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 labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime 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 productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, 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 usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud 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 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 want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope 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 all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again 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 recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”