Virgil van Dijk hails 'perfect' Arne Slot and issues Liverpool title warning

Virgil van Dijk has fired a warning to Liverpool’s challengers, stating that he and his team-mates will “go to war” for each other under the leadership of Arne Slot as they strive to reclaim the Premier League throne.

After handing out a masterclass to title holders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, the Reds emerged not only victorious but dominant, with the 2-0 result somewhat of a kind scoreline for Pep Guardiola’s side.

This display has not only tightened Liverpool’s hold on the title race, it also underscores the incredibly smooth transition at the helm with Slot stepping into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes.

With an impressive record of winning 18 out of 20 matches this season, Slot’s squad has soared nine points ahead of second in the league table, with Man City trailing by 11 points.

Despite this impressive start, Van Dijk has made it clear that the real effort is just beginning. He said his team are prepared to do whatever is necessary to maintain their winning streak.

The Dutch defender told reporters: “At the end of the day it is about how much we want it as players. What do you want to achieve as a group? We want to be successful and in order to be successful it is about all the hard work you put in on a daily basis to win games.

“You will have times in games when you will struggle. You don’t want to be frustrated, but every time this season we have found an answer to difficult moments, and that’s the key to success. So hopefully we can keep that going.”

He praised Slot’s impact: “He (Slot) has come in and done very well so far and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad.

“Not only as football players but as human beings – guys who will go to war for each other – and I think he has been so far so good.”

Van Dijk is keen to avoid any premature title discussions among his team-mates. With a match against Newcastle on the horizon, the skipper stresses the need for consistency and focus: “The thing is we are on matchday 13.

“We want to be consistent, we want to keep winning games and we don’t want to have injuries. We need everyone to focus on what’s ahead of us, but not what’s ahead of us in the next month, now Newcastle is the full focus.”

Looking forward, Van Dijk is determined to maintain momentum throughout the season: “It feels that we are making good steps. But I want to be there at the end of the season, that’s the aim.

“And in order to be there at the end of the season, we have to focus on what’s ahead of us, instead of thinking about what’s there in January or February.”

Reflecting on the transition from Klopp to Slot, Van Dijk hailed “I think it was always going to be difficult to replace Jurgen after everything he did for us, as players and for the club.

“But Arne has come in, done it his own way together with the staff, started working and making sure we have the quality to improve and win games.

“But he makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied and focus on what is ahead of us next and keep improving. The club appointed him, so I think they decided this could be the perfect match for the group here.

“The group has been very tight, and over the years we have worked together and been through so much together that they thought this could be a good match on and off the pitch.”