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The Liverpool skipper has issued a blunt assessment of Liverpool's woeful title defence, confessing the title holders are in a mess and failing manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the Premier League table with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half 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 the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great build-up to the match 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 terrible goal at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “As a team, we're definitely letting him down, 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 difficult situation – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

Van Dijk typically addresses the press after a game as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any player in the stadium corridors could listen in – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, Van Dijk answered: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the players to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with several high-profile signings failing to make an impact so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for all involved,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. This is necessary in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Call for Unity

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting 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 tough time 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 at the wrong place in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve always come out of it. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and analyze how we can improve results and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”