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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, 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 just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable 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 press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up 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 exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”