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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half 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 conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated the defender. “We are certainly 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 mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “In the current term we lack any consistency, 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 reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man 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 many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out 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 domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the European competition. 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 improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”