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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender 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 deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start 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. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club 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. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers 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 tough time you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship 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 going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”