Virgil van Dijk has revealed how he found out about the dismissal of Arne Slot with the Liverpool captain far from pleased
Virgil van Dijk has hit out at Liverpool's decision to sack Arne Slot being leaked
Virgil van Dijk has hit out at Liverpool's decision to sack Arne Slot being leaked(Image: NOS 2026)
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Virgil van Dijk has slammed the leaks of Arne Slot being sacked, with the Liverpool captain revealing that was how he found out.
"I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday afternoon and it had already leaked. After that, of course, I had conversations. But the decision had already been made earlier. It is not like they are asking me how or what," he told NOS after the Netherlands' friendly defeat to Algeria on Wednesday.
"I have spoken with Arne and with Sipke (Hulshoff, assistant, ed.). That is the most important thing for me. I am very grateful to them. For everything they have meant, not only to me but also to the club. I wish them nothing but success."
Van Dijk was the first Liverpool player to respond publicly to Slot's sacking with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and several others also sending well wishes.
In Liverpool's statement confirming his immediate exit, it was clarified that work to appoint a successor was already underway and it very quickly emerged that the club were targeting Andoni Iraola.
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Negotiations between the two parties got to an advanced stage swiftly with the former Bournemouth boss set to be confirmed as Liverpool's new head coach in the coming days.
The World Cup will undoubtedly the focus of most players over the next few weeks with the tournament officially starting next Thursday.
Numerous Liverpool stars have already jetted off to prepare for their respective nations with Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch suffering a shock defeat to Algeria.
Fellow Dutchman and club team-mate Jeremie Frimpong has not even been included in Ronald Koeman's squad with Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones as other Liverpool stars to miss the World Cup.
Following difficult first campaigns, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both scored for Germany and Sweden, respectively, in the last few days.
There will be more to follow. We'll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
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