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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess 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 frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors 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 productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow 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 point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”