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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half 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 recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues extend past the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”