**Virgil van Dijk insists that Liverpool remain united under Arne Slot’s leadership.**
The Premier League champions racked up their [first domestic win of 2026 against Newcastle](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/63346-liverpool-4-1-newcastle-three-talking-points-hugo-ekitike-ibrahima-konate-anthony-gordon/) just days after qualifying for the Champions League’s knockout stage.
But the Reds have failed to mount a strong title defence as they sit 14 points away from the summit and are one of three teams vying to secure a top four finish.
Slot continues to find himself under increasing scrutiny as his side struggle to show the same form which saw them claim their 20th top flight crown last season.
But ahead of Manchester City’s visit, Van Dijk does not believe there has been any evidence of disharmony within the Anfield dressing room in their current spell.
He said: “I don’t think there’s not been any question about that internally. I don’t think there’s any disharmony.
“There are obviously challenges that happen and everyone is dealing with certain situations in a different way.
“It’s also about dealing with it together and how we are going to fix it and change things around. That’s something that makes you stronger as a team.
“If you come out of it like we should do hopefully, as we have the quality, then I think it can only improve you as a team and as a player as well.”
“The matter of fact is we are Premier League champions and we have not been good enough on a consistent basis. That’s just a fact,” added the Liverpool captain.
“The criticism comes and that’s something we just have to accept. We just have to keep going.
“No-one is perfect, no player is perfect and no manager is perfect.
“But the good thing is for us as players and the manager is that we are in my eyes at the most beautiful club in the world at Liverpool and we can show our quality every three or four days.
“That’s a privilege. We have to just go for it and embrace it until the next.”