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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing evaluation of the club's woeful championship campaign, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is owning up for the current downturn.

The Dutch defender could not contain his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to observe Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that began the match in the drop zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player 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 great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are dealing with reality and the facts are we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” said the defender. “We are 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 crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that's the reality.

Van Dijk’s Demands: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the media after a match as part of his duties as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we aim to recover of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk maintained that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we don’t have any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and not point fingers.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option 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. But it doesn’t mean it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is no other way.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a trip to West Ham next Sunday, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I'll go home and analyze how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well.”