Liverpool captain defended his coach following the Reds’ Champions League victory over Marseille
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was left furious after a question directed at Reds’ head coach Arne Slot over rumours linking Xabi Alonso with the role.
The issue arose in the press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Marseille, when Slot was unexpectedly asked whether Alonso had contacted him following his recent departure from Real Madrid.
Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder with strong ties to the club, left Los Blancos earlier this month after less than eight months in charge, a decision officially described as ‘mutual consent’ despite reports in Spain suggesting it was a dismissal.
Slot, visibly surprised by the timing of the question, chose humour over confrontation. The Dutchman joked that Alonso had supposedly called to say he was “going to take over in six months, or maybe earlier”, before dismissing the line of questioning as “one of the weirdest questions” he had ever faced.
Liverpool then delivered a 0-3 win over Marseille, but the post-match focus quickly returned to the press conference exchange.
Van Dijk steps in to defend Slot: Very disrespectful
Speaking in the mixed zone after the victory, Virgil van Dijk made his feelings clear, directly criticising the journalist who raised the subject.
“I think that was very disrespectful. Criticism is part of the game, we all know that, but I think it is also a reason why he is not here,” Van Dijk said.
“I think criticism is part and parcel for us, that’s what we live with and it’s absolutely justified if you look at what we are doing in the season unfortunately for us, especially based on last season.”
The Liverpool captain acknowledged that scrutiny comes with the territory at a club of Liverpool’s stature, but stressed that context is often overlooked.
He pointed to the scale of change within the squad and the challenge of building consistency after a major summer overhaul.
“I think we always work hard on things we can improve but we also don’t forget that with all the changes in the summer, with different faces and style of players, different combinations, you have to find training helps with that, matches even more,” Van Dijk added.
“So, it’s been a very difficult part of the season for us players and the manager as well, but in my opinion he handled it very well. We are in a results business and we all get judged – players, the manager and everyone involved with the results – and that is what we are working on to improve on a consistent basis.”