Van Dijk becomes first Liverpool player to publicly thank sacked Arne Slot

Virgil van Dijk has become the first Liverpool player to publicly acknowledge Arne Slot’s sacking, posting a heartfelt tribute to his compatriot on Instagram less than 24 hours after the club confirmed the head coach’s dismissal.

Slot was sacked within a week of the 2024-25 Premier League season concluding with a 1-1 home draw against Brentford — a result that secured Champions League qualification but could not save his position. Liverpool finished fifth in the table, a sharp decline from the title-winning campaign the previous year.

“We’ll never forget winning the Premier League in our first season together,” Van Dijk wrote in his Instagram story. “Thank you, Trainer, and best of luck to you and your family for the future.”

The club captain’s message was the first from inside the dressing room, with no other Liverpool players having spoken publicly at the time of writing. The board issued a joint statement acknowledging Slot’s “significant, meaningful and — most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves — successful” contribution to the club.

Slot’s second season was complicated by a public rift with Mohamed Salah, who made pointed comments after being left on the bench for the 3-3 draw with Leeds United and was subsequently omitted from the squad that travelled to Milan in the Champions League. Salah was later reintegrated but was released from his contract early, departing on a free transfer this summer. Before leaving, the 33-year-old publicly called for a return to what he described as “heavy metal football” and criticised what he saw as declining standards at Anfield.

With the search for Slot’s successor under way, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has emerged as the early favourite. The Spaniard is understood to favour a high-intensity, attacking style that aligns with Liverpool’s footballing identity, though the club has not confirmed any approach or appointment.