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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “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 help each other, you work together to escape of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

The Merseyside club spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”