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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne 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 Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings 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 unravelled against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. 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.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk continued: “This season we lack any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation 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 during a challenging phase you have to stick together and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out 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 visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”