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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” 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 allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality 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 the defender. “We are certainly 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 mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”