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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by 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 present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” 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 conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, 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 present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings 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 everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”