Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has opened up on the Reds' disappointing season and confirmed he has spoken to Arne Slot since the Dutchman was fired by the club
Connor O'Neill Senior Sports Content Creator and James Findlater Content Editor
15:18, 06 Jun 2026
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk contacted Arne Slot after former Liverpool boss was fired(Image: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk has revealed he spoke to Arne Slot following his firing, admitting he has yet to fully process what has been an extraordinarily difficult season for Liverpool. Slot was dismissed by the Liverpool board last weekend after a troubled defense of the Premier League title.
It is understood that the decision to part company with the Dutchman was made with "enormous reluctance" but came after the Reds suffered 19 defeats across all competitions this season. Andoni Iraola was confirmed as Slot's successor on Thursday, and Van Dijk disclosed that he has been in contact with his former boss.
The Liverpool captain, however, was reluctant to divulge the details of their conversation, stating: "I'm not going to say anything about that, at this moment.
"I spoke to Arne personally, that is the most important thing. Exactly what we discussed remains between us. For now, my focus is entirely on the World Cup."
Van Dijk also reflected on the most gruelling campaign he has endured at Liverpool since joining the club from Southampton in January 2018, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The season was overshadowed from the outset by the tragic death of Diogo Jota last summer. Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in Spain in July, as the Portuguese forward was making his way back to Merseyside ahead of pre-season training.
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Van Dijk told Voetbal International: "This was the toughest season of my career. That is clear, especially on the mental level. It just kept going up and down. We almost never had the consistent feeling and level you strive for.
"As a group, as a club, as a player, as a person. As a team, we had very good matches, and then suddenly things went downhill again. Then you basically can't go on.
"This year, a lot has come our way at Liverpool. From the moment I received the call with the terrible news about Diogo until the final match, in which we said goodbye to Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.
"I sat on the grass watching those two guys, with whom I had played for eight years. I have never experienced anything like it in all those years at Liverpool. It happened the way it happened."
Virgil van Dijk sits on the Anfield pitch following Liverpool's final game of the season against Brentford
Virgil van Dijk sits on the Anfield pitch following Liverpool's final game of the season against Brentford(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Van Dijk, who is currently preparing for the start of the World Cup with the Netherlands, also acknowledged: "There will be moments when I will have to put everything into perspective.
"That will be very tough. I know that already. I haven't really been able to think about everything that happened last season yet.
"But right now, a short break was enough to switch to a positive mindset for this World Cup. I spent six wonderful days with my family, my mother, and my parents-in-law.
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"We talked a lot about everything and just did absolutely nothing else for a while.' 'That was very nice and very peaceful."