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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing 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.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display 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 “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. 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 fixture 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 the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time 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 duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. His voice 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. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact 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 everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”