Virgil van Dijk has hit back at claims Liverpool had a “few days off” in the buildup to their 3-2 loss at Man United, insisting that “it’s not that we have a holiday.”
Van Dijk was among those pictured enjoying time off after the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister‘s partners shared photos of their families in Italy.
That fed into a growing criticism of Arne Slot with a perception that he allows his players too much time off.
Journalists questioned the head coach’s methods after Sunday’s defeat at Old Trafford, but speaking in the mixed zone, Van Dijk rubbished those claims.
“A few days off? You mean one day off?” he said when asked about Liverpool’s ‘few days off’ in preparation for Man United.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's 10 Alexis Mac Allister reacts after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Manchester United won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Questioned on the likes of Szoboszlai and Mac Allister heading abroad, the captain told reporters including the Mail‘s Lewis Steele: “I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip.
“But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families.
“We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.
“This week we have an early kickoff on Saturday. So preparation is on that.
“Yesterday we were in a hotel. Today we played. So two days away with the family again. It’s not that we have a holiday whatsoever.”
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Van Dijk’s comments are unlikely to dampen criticism of Liverpool’s training load, but he was affronted when told of the belief they no longer train enough at the AXA.
“Really? I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways,” he said.
“You see Pep Guardiola giving City three days off the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well.
“It is finding the right balance. I can understand if people think we are not training and, when results are not there, [if they think] it could be a reason for why we are not getting results.
“Like anyone else, personally I want this to be solved.”
Van Dijk: “I’m not here to make excuses”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The No. 4 added: “I’m not here to make excuses. It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season.
“We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to turn it around and make sure these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool.
“I care so much about this club. I know that it has been a tough season but I will always be there in good and lesser good days.”
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