Summary:
- Liverpool Head coach Arne Slot has praised Virgil van Dijk’s exceptional leadership and skills.
- Van Dijk, 33, is in the final six months of his contract but continues to excel, guiding Liverpool to the Premier League’s top spot.
- Under Van Dijk’s captaincy, Liverpool secured a place in the Champions League last 16 and reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool Head coach Arne Slot has expressed his admiration for Virgil van Dijk, praising the Liverpool captain’s exceptional qualities.
The 33-year-old defender, now in the final six months of his contract, continues to impress with his leadership on the pitch after guiding Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, securing a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League, and reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup this season.
Slot on Van Dijk: ‘Wow, This Is Definitely Another Level That I’m Used To’
Slot, who joined Liverpool as Head coach last summer, was particularly surprised by Van Dijk’s ability on the ball.
The 46-year-old acknowledged that the Breda, the Netherlands-born, “got a bit more criticism” in his home country than in England.
I was, in a very positive way, surprised how good he was on the ball and how he could play football through the lines. From the first day I was like ‘wow, this is definitely another level that I’m used to’. But people in England were used to this.
Van Dijk’s impact on Liverpool since joining the club has been undeniable. He has already achieved significant success, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and multiple other trophies during his time at Anfield.
While his contract is nearing its end, Van Dijk’s performances remain world-class, and his future with the club is still under consideration.
Slot on Liverpool: “It’s Always Nice to Be Up There.”
Slot has also acknowledged the progress Liverpool has made under his leadership. The Reds are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and enjoying a successful Champions League campaign.
You don’t think after 20 games we will have that many points, and I wasn’t expecting us to be top with the margin we have. It’s always nice to be up there, but nobody would have expected this. Liverpool should always be competing for a league title, we should always be competing for the Champions League.
The Head coach added that while the club hasn’t made many recent moves in the transfer market, it is pleased with its squad and plans to strengthen it in the future.
Slot’s journey to Liverpool was preceded by a successful coaching career, with stints at Cambuur, AZ Alkmaar, and Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie title.
Reflecting on his playing career, Slot admitted,
I wasn’t that fast. Some people called me slow. Normally if you’re slow, you’re good and keep on running. But I wasn’t good at keeping on running either.
He credited his football IQ and timing in passing as key qualities that made him a good player.
Managing a big club like Liverpool is challenging, especially given that Slot’s family still lives in the Netherlands.
The manager admitted the distance has been tough to deal with, especially during the demanding English football season.
However, he remains focused on improving as a coach. He acknowledges that his time away from his family has allowed him to refine his skills and become a better manager.
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