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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the reigning champions are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after the weekend's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section 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 all competitions, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the squad to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that each individual has to be accountable.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk replied: “I don’t know. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing 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 Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for each player to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow excessive scores, we are being out-fought and all share the blame for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting 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 Champions League fixture of the Dutch side in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? Certainly not, I’m going to return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”