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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

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

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, 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 present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around 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 tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”