Van Dijk Left Stunned By Liverpool’s Decision To Sack Arne Slot

The Dutch defender disclosed that he had no prior indication of the decision and was not consulted before the move was finalized. Liverpool reportedly parted ways with Slot following a disappointing campaign that ended in a fifth-place Premier League finish, bringing an abrupt end to his two-year spell at Anfield.

Slot, who arrived in 2024 as Jürgen Klopp’s successor, had initially enjoyed a dream start by guiding Liverpool to the league title in his debut season. However, a sharp decline in form followed, ultimately leading the club’s ownership, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), to opt for a change in leadership. Former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has since been lined up to take over, with an agreement reportedly in place.

Speaking after the Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat to Algeria, Van Dijk said he had already spoken with Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff and expressed appreciation for their work at the club.

“That came as a surprise. I spoke to Arne and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me. I know Liverpool will come out of this well,” he said.

The centre-back further revealed that the decision had already been made before he was officially informed. “I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday, and the news had already been leaked. I then had discussions with the club, but the decision had already been made by then. It’s not as though they asked me for my opinion,” he added.

Van Dijk’s comments reflect the surprise surrounding Slot’s exit, especially given the manager’s strong debut season success and the expectations that followed his appointment.

Despite the managerial upheaval, Van Dijk remained a consistent performer for Liverpool throughout the campaign, featuring in all 38 Premier League matches, scoring six goals and logging over 3,000 minutes. He was also instrumental during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024–2025 season, where he played every match across all competitions and maintained a key leadership role.

The Dutch international, who remains under contract at Anfield until 2027, is expected to continue as a central figure as Liverpool begin a new era under their incoming manager.