Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, admitted that he was surprised by Virgil van Dijk’s extraordinary ability and described the club captain as a “different level”.
Van Dijk is now 33 years old and is in the last six months of his contract and recently took his 300th place for Liverpool in her 4-1 win against Ipswich Town.
Since his arrival in Anfield, the Dutch central defender has won everything, including the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the Super Cup, the FA Cup and the Two League Cup.
Despite the speculation about his future, van Dijk was instrumental in leading Liverpool to the head of the Premier League, securing a place in the Champions League and reaching the semi -finals of the Carabao Cup.
Slot, Talk to Gary Linekersaid: “Everyone here in England would tell you that Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world.
“In Holland he became a little more criticism than he exceeded here in England. I was surprised in a very positive way how good he was on the ball and how he could play football through the lines.
“From day one, I was like ‘WoW, this is definitely another level that I am used to. But the people in England were used to it. “
Nice to see that Arne Slot is a fan of game of the day! 😉#Bbbcfootball pic.twitter.com/za2lqlrs9c
– Match of the day (@bbbcmotd) January 29, 2025
Slot, who took departure in Liverpool last summer, led the team to a lead of six points against Arsenal with a game in hand.
Liverpool also dominated her Champions League campaign and won all seven games and won her last place with a remaining game. In their final group stage game, they compete against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
When Slot thought about Liverpool’s season, she admitted that her current position exceeded his expectations.
“They don’t believe that after 20 games we will have so many points, and I did not expect that we are at the top with the scope we have,” he added.
“It’s always nice to be up there, but nobody would have expected that. I am the last person who would have expected (reigning Champions Manchester) to have such a bad run.
“Liverpool should always fight for a league title, we should always fight for the Champions League. I hope I will be able to keep the club at this level. “
