Virgil van Dijk sends Arne Slot stark Liverpool warning as he makes 'can't happen' point

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has issued a stern warning to Arne Slot, stating that there will be no honeymoon period for the new boss.

The Reds kicked off their Champions League campaign under Slot with an impressive victory over European giants AC Milan. However, this followed a home defeat to Nottingham Forest, demonstrating a dramatic turnaround within just three days.

Van Dijk referred to the Forest game as a “reality check”, cautioning that maintaining high standards is crucial for success and any slip-ups could quickly turn up the heat on Slot.

And Van Dijk emphasised: “In football you have to deliver today and tomorrow and if you don’t then the pressure can pile up from the outside but we have to stay calm.

“Obviously I have a big role in that, the manager has a big role in that and we as players have to show it on the pitch.

“We have to – and I said it after the game – we have to stay calm and focus on our targets but going back to that game, losing at home to Forest, no disrespect to them, just us losing at home is a reality check and a shock.‌

“It can’t happen if you want to achieve things that I want to with the club. So Milan was a good reaction and now it is recovery, go home and Saturday is a big one.”

Liverpool take on Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League, in what has been a relatively favourable start to the season for Slot after taking on the daunting task of replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Despite slipping up against Forest, Van Dijk expressed satisfaction with the team’s response in Milan, even after an early setback.

Van Dijk commented: “I think, especially after the first three minutes, we showed the reaction in Milan I like to see. On to many more.

“You have to remember, who is saying things are a disaster (if we don’t win)? People from the outside, so what can you do about the outside? The only influence we have is what we do on the pitch.

‌”You saw the reaction in Milan and when you play the way we want to play instead of running around a lot, looking like we have absolutely no plan, like we did especially as we did for the last half an hour, then you can play for another hour and you won’t score.”

The Dutch defender found the net in Milan alongside central defensive partner Ibrahima Konate. He highlighted the importance of set pieces this season and praised fellow Dutchman Cody Gakpo, who made his mark in Milan on his first start of the season.

Van Dijk continued: “Last year he played some great games too and I don’t think we should forget that, in my opinion. Obviously the last couple of weeks, apart from the national team, I know what he can produce and we all know what he can produce.

“But when you play just one game a week, I think the players need to be patient and we need everyone to be at their best.

“We try every game to be important at set-pieces. I think the last game I had two chances and maybe sometimes it looks and sounds easier than it is. Me and Ibou are both 6ft 4, or whatever, and we should score every ball that comes into the box.

“But sometimes you are double marked and obviously it is not always perfect, so you have to fight for it. But we were there and we can see how important it is because you saw today, Ibou’s goal was big, my goal was a big help in order to get going for the second, so it was good.”