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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled 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 advantage. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection 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: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player 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 have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve consistently emerged 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 trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”