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The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, confessing the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after the weekend's heavy loss at Anfield by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that unravelled against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. Forest’s opener was the ninth concession Liverpool have allowed from dead-ball situations in the current campaign.

“There was a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded 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 work together to escape of this crisis because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

Van Dijk usually speaks the media after a game as part of his duties as team leader. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked 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 difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450m to replenish a championship-winning team in the summer but have regressed, with several high-profile signings struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems extend past the recent additions. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “What I want is for everyone 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 press. It’s basic things but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we don’t have any consistency, we allow excessive scores, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to accept duty to turn this around and it is easy to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are at the wrong place in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

The upcoming match in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next Sunday, after the Champions League fixture of PSV in the Champions League. He said: “The next game is another game so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I'll return and try to think how we can improve results and I trust that is what everyone is doing as well.”