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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, confessing the title holders are in disarray and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his frustration after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth loss in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave the visitors the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great 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 poor concession at the beginning after the break,” stated Van Dijk. “As a team, we're certainly letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. His voice was more forceful – audible enough that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the squad to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “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 it's essential. It’s the main thing I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we don’t have any steady form, we allow far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to point fingers 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 have to stick together and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been enduring many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean 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 Sunday, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”