’This is definitely another level’ - Arne Slot talks up ability of influential Liverpool star
Publish : Wednesday, 2025-01-29 ( Europe/London )
Arne Slot admits to being surprised by the ability of fellow Dutchman and key Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted he was taken aback by just how good Virgil van Dijk has been this season.
Now 33, Van Dijk has firmly shaken off the impact of his ACL injury and has led by example as Liverpool have roared to a comprehensive lead in the Premier League, rediscovering the form that helped him establish himself as one of the best defenders in the competition's history earlier in his Liverpool career.
Slot, a fellow Dutchman, confessed that he has not always seen Van Dijk in the same light because of his experiences in the Netherlands national team, but stressed to Football Focus that he completely understands the excitement now.
"I was, in a very positive way, surprised how good he was on the ball and how he could play football through the lines. From the first day I was like 'wow, this is definitely another level that I'm used to'. But people in England were used to this."
Slot went on to confess that he was one of many who did not believe he would enjoy such immediate success in his bid to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager. The Reds are top of the Champions League table and also boast a six-point lead over Arsenal at the Premier League's summit, despite having played one game fewer.
"You don't think after 20 games we will have that many points and I wasn't expecting us to be top with the margin we have," he continued. "It's always nice to be up there, but nobody would have expected this. I'm the last person who would have expected [Manchester] City to have such a bad run."
As for Van Dijk, his long-term future at Liverpool is unclear. Out of contract at the remainder of the season, it remains to be seen whether or not he'll extend his stay on Merseyside.
"I have no idea [how many more appearances he will make for Liverpool]," Van Dijk said recently. "How many left this season? Hopefully those are guaranteed and then I don't know what the future will bring."
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