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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down 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

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible 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 you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”