Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool boss Arne Slot says captain ‘one of many few leaders left in world soccer’

Virgil van Dijk is “one of many few leaders there are nonetheless on the earth of soccer”, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has instructed Sky Sports activities.

Van Dijk, who joined the Reds from Southampton for a then-world-record price for a defender of £75m in January 2018, put pen-to-paper on a brand new two-year deal earlier this week, protecting him at Liverpool till the summer time of 2027.

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Liverpool’s influential skipper will lead his aspect out away at Leicester on Sunday, reside and unique on Sky Sports activities, because the Reds shut in on their second Premier League title since Van Dijk’s arrival on the membership.

Slot admits Van Dijk’s new deal is the right tonic forward of this weekend’s journey to the King Energy Stadium.

“Enormous information for the membership, for the followers, for our gamers and for our workers, [we’re all] so happy,” Slot instructed Sky Sports activities pundit and former LIverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

“Everyone is aware of how good of a participant he’s once they see him enjoying through the weekend, and we additionally understand how essential he’s. I additionally understand how essential he’s through the week once we prepare.

“He is among the few leaders there are nonetheless on the earth of soccer for a crew, and aside from that he is proven this season once more how essential he’s on the pitch.

“After we prepare, once we’re inside this constructing, if you happen to have a look at him you see a giant man, so you’ll anticipate him being a frontrunner.

“However he is not solely a frontrunner as a result of he is huge and tall. He is additionally sensible, gamers respect him lots, and he brings lots of power into coaching classes.”

Slot: Van Dijk so good on the ball

Slot added: “He is aware of what he says, he is aware of the right way to inspire his team-mates to get the very best out of us each single day.

“And aside from that, on the subject of high quality, I used to be stunned how extremely good he’s with bringing the ball out from the again. The primary coaching session we did we had been attempting to get gamers free in between the strains, and he discovered them continually.

“I knew how good of a participant he was (earlier than I arrived at Anfield), how essential he was, however that he was that good on the ball was even a shock to me.”

Whereas Van Dijk seems to be revered and revered by most throughout the English sport, fellow Dutchman Slot concedes that has maybe not all the time been within the case, notably within the pair’s homeland.

“Perhaps for the time being issues modified to a constructive method throughout this season,” Slot mentioned.

“However on the Euros he acquired fairly a little bit of criticism, the entire crew acquired criticism, as a result of though we reached the semi-final – and I feel England scored simply earlier than the tip to knock us out – throughout the entire event most pundits, most followers weren’t that joyful the best way we, the Netherlands, performed.

“And he, after all, by being such a frontrunner, by being such an essential determine, acquired a little bit of criticism. Sure, he did, rather a lot really. I do not assume he will get that criticism lots in England, and I feel the English individuals see issues higher than the Dutch!

“When it comes to enjoying type individuals anticipated extra, and he acquired numerous criticism – greater than he is used to I feel right here in England.”

Slot able to welcome Trent again

With Van Dijk following Mohamed Salah in committing his future to the membership, the eye has naturally shifted in direction of whether or not Trent Alexander-Arnold will observe swimsuit.

Liverpool’s right-back has been heavily-linked with a transfer to Actual Madrid as a free agent this summer time, however Slot refused to get drawn into the saga surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s future.

“We favor to speak about bulletins, not about how issues are going within the contract negotiations,” he mentioned.

“What I do know is that Trent is again on the pitch, he is coaching with us once more. He is had season, so hopefully he may help us in direction of the tip of the season by reaching what all of us hope to attain.

“And the place his contract finally ends up, that’s one thing inside right here, however not while you’re right here. Richard (Hughes, Liverpool sporting director) and me, and, after all, it is also about Trent.”

Slot has needed to area questions concerning the futures of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk at most of his pre-match information conferences this season.

And whereas he’s comfy with the extent of enter he has concerning on and off area issues, Slot admitted he is relieved that contract negotiations do not kind a part of his remit at Liverpool.

“The soccer aspect of issues, we discuss this each day, Richard and me,” Slot mentioned.

“I’ve all the time labored with the sports activities director. Now, because it was up to now after I labored with completely different sports activities administrators, they wish to know my opinion.

“They wish to know what I need subsequent season, how I have a look at sure gamers. So there’s fixed involvement between me and Richard about how we wish to create the squad for subsequent season.

“However on the subject of the negotiation half, that is all about Richard, FSG (Fenway Sports activities Group), Michael Edwards (FSG chief govt of soccer). And I am joyful that I am not concerned in that half.”

Watch Leicester Metropolis vs Liverpool reside on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 4pm this Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm. Stream with NOW.