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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members 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 left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that started the day in the drop zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the Premier League this season.

“There was a productive three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “Anger is justified,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It's challenging during tough periods but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Broader Issues

The Merseyside club invested almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, 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 consistency, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and claimed the title and everyone was part of it, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through numerous challenges over recent seasons 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.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”