Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has praised manager Arne Slot for transforming the squad’s mindset and getting everyone on board, helping them clinch the Premier League title this season.
Fresh off their title triumph, Liverpool travelled to Stamford Bridge, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat to a Chelsea side desperate to return to the Champions League after a three-year absence.
Deputy club captain Van Dijk stopped in the mixed zone to speak to Telecom Asia about Slot’s impact and why fans should come out to celebrate the achievement.
We have to give credit to the manager because he's come in, rolled his sleeves up, and got the job done. So much so that we knew we had a real chance to go on straight from the word go.
This marks only Liverpool’s second Premier League title in recent years, with their previous triumph under Jurgen Klopp coming during the COVID-affected 2019/20 season. Van Dijk is now calling on fans across the world to join in the celebrations.
All I can add is that every Liverpool fan should come out and celebrate with us during the parade.
While the Reds still have matches to play, Van Dijk emphasised the importance of enjoying the moment while staying focused on what lies ahead:
It still feels unreal, and it should feel like that—it shouldn’t die down, and in my eyes, it won’t. Obviously, there are other games now, but it’s all building up to the 25th and you have to enjoy it. You have to soak it all up.
Yet his comments carried a competitive edge, as he urged his teammates to stay mentally and physically sharp during the run-in:
You have to analyse it, we have to learn from it because we’re winners. We all want to win big games and not lose. That’s why we have to give everything.
He concluded with a reminder of the professionalism required at this level:
To do that, we have to be ready, we have to be prepared and give everything-otherwise you are taking the risk of getting injured.
In other Liverpool news, Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season. The Liverpool-born defender has spent 20 years at the club, but with his contract set to expire this summer, he has decided to bring his time at Anfield to a close.
Alexander-Arnold is one of three high-profile players whose contracts run out this summer. While Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed fresh deals in recent weeks, Alexander-Arnold will depart when his contract ends.
Since making his debut in 2016, he has made 352 appearances, scored 23 goals, and registered 86 assists for the club.
