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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back 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. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal 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. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer 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 difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join 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 consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”