{"id":22602,"date":"2026-02-06T18:47:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/virgil-van-dijk-releases-statement-against-arne-slott-liverpool-amid-derogatory-claims\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T18:47:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:47:43","slug":"virgil-van-dijk-releases-statement-against-arne-slott-liverpool-amid-derogatory-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/virgil-van-dijk-releases-statement-against-arne-slott-liverpool-amid-derogatory-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Virgil van Dijk releases statement against Arne Slott Liverpool amid ‘derogatory’ claims"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has defended manager Arne Slott against criticism this season, claiming some of it bordered on “disrespect”.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
08:54, February 6, 2026<\/span>Updated February 6, 2026 10:47<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Virgil van Dijk talks about the pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slott (Image: Sky Sports YouTube)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has defended underdog manager Arne Slott, insisting the Dutchman deserves a chance to get the ship back on track despite a difficult season. Slott will replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield in 2024, scoring 84 goals in his debut season to lead Liverpool to the Premier League title.<\/p>\n
However, this season hasn’t been very good for Slott’s side, who currently sit in 6th place in the Premier League. The Reds have won just 11 of their 24 league games this season and are 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.<\/p>\n
The sacking of Xabi Alonso by Real Madrid earlier this year only fueled rumors about Slott’s future at Liverpool. However, Van Dijk suggested that some of the chatter surrounding the Dutch manager bordered on disrespect.<\/p>\n
read more: Arne Slott explains why Liverpool decided to move Curtis Jones<\/span><\/span>read more: Arne Slott provides update on Liverpool’s Man City injury<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In a candid chat with Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, the stalwart defender said: “As I said last week and here, the way we’re going through this season, the criticism is natural, because of the way we’re playing and the way we keep losing on the bounce.”<\/p>\n
Follow our Liverpool FB page! Keep up with the latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/p>\n
“That’s not the standard we’ve set, especially last year. But you’ve been criticized and you’ve been disrespected.”<\/p>\n
When asked if the criticism leveled at Slott was disrespectful, Van Dijk replied: “Well, it depends on how you feel. I was asked this question last week as well. Do you think the disrespect is justified? I feel like I don’t always read it so I don’t understand.”<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Virgil van Dijk defends Arne Slott following criticism of Liverpool manager (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“I feel like we’re in a process and it just takes time. I don’t think the Liverpool I know is a club that makes rash decisions and trusts the process.<\/p>\n
“But I know how the world works and what kind of pressures managers are under and (how) they are held responsible and accountable for the results that we are getting. I still feel that it is a process, and in my eyes, he deserves that respect and opportunity to make sure this process ends in a positive way. We just need to keep going.”<\/p>\n
In the same interview, Van Dijk claimed that football pundits have a “duty to take responsibility” for the next generation’s play when criticizing them. Earlier this season, the defender was involved in an exchange with Wayne Rooney, with Rooney criticizing the defender’s performance.<\/p>\n
Nicky Butt and Lisandro Martinez recently exchanged messages following the former Manchester United midfielder’s comments. “Personally, I can deal with it, but I’m a little worried when I think about the next generation,” he told Neville. \u201cI feel that former top players have a responsibility to the new generation.<\/p>\n
“I think criticism is completely normal and part of the game and should be, but sometimes it becomes clickbait, provocative, or done without considering the mental impact on the players, especially the younger generation who are constantly on social media.<\/p>\n
“You can say, ‘Yeah, you shouldn’t be on social media.’ That’s something I’ve told (them) over and over again. Whenever you have a good game, young players check out all the positive praise, but when you have a bad game and you get bullied or bad criticism on social media, it can really affect you.”<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a349<\/p>\n
\u00a335<\/p>\n
sky<\/p>\n
Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"virgil](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36679102.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-343.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36679096.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Liverpool-FC-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-FC-Premier-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/)
<\/div>\n