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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said Van Dijk. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond 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. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

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

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”