Virgil van Dijk breaks silence day after Arne Slot Liverpool sacking

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence following the club’s decision to sack Arne Slot.

Despite winning the Premier League in 2025, Slot was relieved of his duties on Saturday (May 30), with the club confirming the decision in a lengthy statement that thanked the Dutchman for his contribution while also recognising the way he guided Liverpool following the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

Part of the statement read: “The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team's trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”

Slot leaves Anfield with a respectable record of 66 wins, 18 draws and 29 defeats from 113 matches in charge and remains just the second man – alongside Jurgen Klopp – to win the Premier League with the Merseyside club.

Liverpool scraped Champions League qualification by finishing fifth last term while also failing to win a trophy.

This led to concerns among the fanbase about the “boring” style of play employed by Slot, with Mohamed Salah even calling for a return to “heavy-metal football” in a statement released earlier in May.

“I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy-metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies,” Salah wrote on social media.

Slot has yet to release an official statement, but he did send a message to Liverpool supporters via journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Slot said: “It’s been an amazing ride together with Liverpool. I am so grateful that we were able to win the league last season.”

Van Dijk breaks silence on Slot sacking

Departing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who guided the Cherries to a sixth-place finish last term, is expected to succeed Slot at Anfield.

While Iraola remains the heavy favourite, the Reds are also considering Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeneß, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Lens boss Pierre Sage.

On Sunday (May 31), Van Dijk acknowledged Slot’s dismissal via his Instagram Story by posting a photograph of the pair alongside the caption:

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

Van Dijk posted a short message (Credit:Virgil van Dijk/IG)

Liverpool owners’ full statement on Slot sacking

“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.

“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.

“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.

“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.

“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”