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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders 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 could not contain his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” 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 crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, 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 have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk continued: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“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 this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”