Arne Slot and Liverpool have a big month ahead of them in the Premier League
Virgil van Dijk shouting on the pitch
Virgil van Dijk had a reason for calling out two of his team-mates(Image: Getty Images)
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Arne Slot's second season in charge could very well be defined by Liverpool's tricky run of December fixtures. The Dutchman has so far overseen a disappointing defence of their Premier League title.
While criticism has been laid at the feet of the club's biggest stars such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, the Reds boss' position has come into question, reflecting how dire the situation has become at Anfield.
Van Dijk's revelation
With the amount of talent Liverpool possess in their squad, you'd think it'd be an arduous decision for Van Dijk when having to choose one player in the squad who does the craziest things in training.
However, that wasn't the case for the skipper who quickly answered with the name Curtis Jones before adding: "He's very technical, top player." The midfielder, 24, established himself as a key squad player under Jurgen Klopp and now Slot.
Curtis Jones looking ahead
Curtis Jones has played 197 games for Liverpool(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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The England ace is quite the silky figure on the ball but showed his gritty side when hammering his team following Liverpool's 4-1 rout by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last Wednesday.
Noticeably fuming when talking to Irish broadcasters RTE, Jones said after full-time: "It's unacceptable to be honest. As I said, I don't even have the words, I'm past being angry and sad, I'm at the point now where I don't have the words. It's hard to find the words.
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"I'm a player and a fan, I'm seeing it like this, I haven't experienced a team play like this bad and results like this. At the end of the day, we still have that badge on our chest, until that badge goes, we're always going to fight, try get this team to where it needs to be and show why Liverpool is the best team in the world. But as of now, we're in the s*** and it needs to change."
Two team-mates called out
Liverpool's trip to the London Stadium last Sunday was a performance and result the side desperately needed. In what was a controlled and disciplined away performance, there were two Reds stars in particular who came in for special praise from Van Dijk.
Following the game, the captain decided to pay compliments to Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez for their showing against the Hammers. Discussing the most expensive player in British football history, the Dutchman said of the striker: "We know that things haven’t been so good for us recently, but Sunday was extremely welcome, in terms of both the result and the performance.
Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez of Liverpool FC practice during a training session at AXA Melwood Training Centre
Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez impressed for Liverpool in their victory over West Ham
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"It was great to see Alexander Isak score his first Premier League goal for the club. Alex has not had the easiest time since joining, as I’m sure he would tell you himself, but he has been working extremely hard behind the scenes, and we know the quality he possesses. He is a clinical finisher, and hopefully that was the first of many league goals in a Liverpool shirt."
Last Sunday was Gomez's first Premier League start in 11 months and the Englishman didn't put a foot wrong as he stepped into the right-back role. Having played with the 28-year-old for almost eight years, Van Dijk said: "I’d also like to mention Joe Gomez, on what was his first league start of the season.
"I have said many times previously that in order to be successful, we are going to need everybody to be ready to play their part, whether it’s from the start or off the bench. I thought Joey was outstanding on the day, so big credit to him."
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