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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “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 crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. 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.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent 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. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place 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 tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”