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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – 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 team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone 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 have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope 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 won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option 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. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”