Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that he was not consulted before the club decided to part ways with manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool reportedly dismissed Slot after a disappointing fifth-place finish in the league, despite the Dutch coach leading the team to a Premier League title in his debut season.
The decision ended Slot’s two-year spell at Anfield after he replaced Jurgen Klopp in June 2024.
Van Dijk, who has been at the club for nearly a decade and is contracted until 2027, said he was surprised by the development and only learned of the decision after it had already been made.
The club is reportedly close to appointing former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as his replacement.
Speaking after the Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat to Algeria, Van Dijk said he only got the news after media reports broke it.
“That came as a surprise. I spoke to Arne and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me. I know Liverpool will come out of this well,” Van Dijk said.
“I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday, and the news had already been leaked. I then had discussions with the club, but the decision had already been made by then. It’s not as though they asked me for my opinion.”
Van Dijk featured in all 38 league matches this season, playing 3,420 minutes and scoring six goals, including two important strikes against Aston Villa late in the campaign.
He was also key during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 season under Slot, playing all 60 matches across competitions, scoring six goals and providing one assist.