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The Liverpool skipper has issued a scathing assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether every player is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table 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 all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described 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 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 facts and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I want the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the recent additions. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to push each other, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, 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 steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to reverse the situation and tempting to point fingers but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

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: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”