Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has again proved his world class credentials under Arne Slot and the standout defender in the Premier League has spoken out on a new rule
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has confessed he’s a fan of a fresh ‘rule’ that manager Arne Slot has established before home fixtures.
Slot has wowed fans and confounded expectations at Anfield, after many pundits predicted the Reds would dip in form after the departure of Anfield icon Jurgen Klopp. Their new Dutch boss has overseen just one defeat – an unexpected stumble against Nottingham Forest – and now sees his squad topping the Premier League table, two points clear and with a game in hand.
But Slot isn’t one for hogging the limelight or getting carried away with the club’s sizzling start to the campaign. He has repeatedly acknowledged that he stepped into an outstanding setup left by Klopp, who called time on a silver-laden nine-year stretch on Merseyside in the summer.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk – a powerhouse defensive colossus during Klopp’s reign – is thriving anew within Slot’s system and has been a standout player this term. In a candid chat with the Mirror, Van Dijk voiced his approval for one of Slot’s new mandates letting players sleep at their own homes instead of holing up in a hotel before playing at their home turf.
“It’s everyone’s own preference, but it’s the rules now,” Van Dijk remarked. “Personally, I like to sleep in my own bed and be with my family, and so it works out quite well.”
However, noting the culture at the club instilled by Klopp that Slot has embraced and further strengthened, Van Dijk added: “But what we did in the past worked out quite well, too, as we’ve been very successful in terms of winning.”
Speaking during a visit to Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey, to highlight the significance of family support, he added: “Personally, at this stage of my life, I definitely like to be as much at home as possible. And I’ve got all the resources to get myself ready in terms of recovery, whether it’s a pool, sauna, ice bath, or anything else I need to get ready.”
He also mentioned the importance of family time, despite frequent travels. The 33-year-old said: “Obviously, we travel quite a lot [as well]; FaceTime is a big tool that could sort of keep you a little with your family.
“But this year, the regime has changed, and we have a little bit more time to be home and not spending time in too many hotels, and it gives you a little bit more time to be with your family.”
Van Dijk previously noted how Slot had been able to lead the Reds to the summit of the English top flight and the revamped Champions League, while also pushing for glory in domestic cup competitions.
He said: “I think the step from, with all respect, the Dutch league to the Premier League is a big one in terms of being a player, but for a manager, it is exactly the same. He has done very well so far, and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad not only as football players but as human beings guys who will go to war for each other and I think he has been so far so good.“He makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied, focus on what is ahead of us next, and keep improving. You see the patterns we try to do, you see, we can change in games or at half-time, and it’s obviously a big credit to him.”