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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with facts and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are definitely failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – 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 team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “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 must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and it is easy to assign blame 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 have to stick together 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 view, because Liverpool has been enduring many adversity over those years and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”