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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt evaluation of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener 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 fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “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 moment it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while urging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”