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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful title defence, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, 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 £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary 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 it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”