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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of the club's woeful title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while doubting whether every player is taking responsibility for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors 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 dealing with reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “As a team, we're certainly failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the press after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. He spoke was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “Anger is justified,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that everyone has to be accountable.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he replied: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Call for Unity

The Dutchman added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I hope everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. Past successes were collective and won the league and all contributed, and during a challenging phase you have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and persist, repeatedly because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the European competition. He said: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”