Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s trip to Marseille was supposed to be all about a response on the pitch – and Arne Slot’s side delivered exactly that with a composed 3-0 win in the Champions League, extending their impressive unbeaten run and easing some of the tension that had built after recent domestic setbacks.
Yet the build‑up to the game was dominated by a bizarre line of questioning rather than tactics or team news. In his pre‑match press conference at the Orange Vélodrome, Slot was directly asked whether Xabi Alonso – freshly sacked by Real Madrid and long linked with the Anfield job – had contacted him about taking over as Liverpool manager.
The Dutchman laughed it off, joking that Alonso had called to ask for a briefing on the squad before replacing him “in six months… or maybe tomorrow,” and labelled it “one of the strangest” or “weirdest” questions he had ever faced as a coach. But while Slot chose humour, the episode clearly did not sit well inside the dressing room.
Speaking to reporters after the 3-0 win, the Reds captain hit out at the line of questioning and defended his manager:
“I think that was very disrespectful,” Van Dijk said as quoted by the Liverpool Echo. “Criticism is part of the game, we all know that, but I think it is also a reason why he (the journalist)] is not here [at the game].”
“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.”
“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 that he feels Slot has managed all the issues this term well:
“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. At the end of the day 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.
“We were all disappointed in the fact we dropped points [against Burnley] but also then we have to discuss why we dropped points as we had so many chances and then they had maybe one or two and scored and the reality is you drop points and that’s frustrating.
“Now it is down to us, not only the starting XI but everyone as a whole, to go to Bournemouth and be ready for a big fight as well and show the best Liverpool we can be because we can be very good.”
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