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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 a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press 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 player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club 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.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”