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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a game as part of his role 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 shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”