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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a productive build-up to the match but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” Asked whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. 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 want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness 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 enduring numerous challenges 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 no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the Champions League. Van Dijk said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”