Arne Slot makes Virgil van Dijk feelings clear as 'ridiculous' Liverpool claim made

Virgil van Dijk proved to be the difference for Liverpool again at Sunderland this week, with Arne Slot in no doubt about the importance of his captain to his side's hopes this season

Virgil van Dijk has played almost every minute for Arne Slot this season(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot has praised Virgil van Dijk’s efforts after the Liverpool captain once again proved to be his side’s savior this week.

Van Dijk scored the winner at Sunderland on Wednesday to ensure the Reds narrowed the gap on Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification, while also producing a superb defensive display as Liverpool became the first team to win at the Stadium of Light this season.

The Netherlands international has played nearly every minute of the Reds’ campaign so far, only missing the two Carabao Cup games against Southampton and Crystal Palace despite being the oldest member of Slot’s squad.

With options running low at the back, Van Dijk looks set to get yet another run-out in the FA Cup against Brighton this weekend.

Asked how important his captain has been, Slot said in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Vital of course because, not even looking at the amount of options we have at center-back, because if he’s not playing, there are no options left - the same for Ibou [Konate] by the way, although Joe [Gomez] is coming back now.

“He’s been fit every single time, and I’ve said this before how big of an accomplishment that is for a player 'of his age,' because he’s not the youngest anymore, but he plays every three days.

Virgil van Dijk has played nearly every minute for Liverpool this season(Image: Getty Images)

“That’s not a coincidence because if I look at how much work he puts in on a daily basis to recover, to be ready for the next. Immediately when the game finishes to the moment the next game starts, and I’ve said before that it’s always harder to stay fit in a season where a team and he have had so many setbacks.

“So it tells you a lot about what he does off the pitch in recovery, but definitely also about his mental strength that he’s able to stay with the team, and not only stay with the team but also bring in very good performances and lead the team, as he always does, on and off the pitch by example. That’s also what he did Wednesday night in Sunderland.”

Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai could also come back into contention against Brighton, having both sat out the game at Sunderland.

Kerkez was left on the bench in the north-east as Andy Robertson was given the chance to start at left-back, while Szoboszlai missed out through suspension following his red card against Manchester City a few days earlier.

“The energy both of them bring is very important to the team,” Slot said of the Hungarian duo.

“Milos has shown this season that defensively he is very, very solid and able to defend 1v1s against the best wingers in the world, and more and more we see what we saw at Bournemouth - that he’s an offensive threat, the power to go up and down.

Dominik Szoboszlai will be back in contention after missing the Sunderland game through suspension

“Dominik, I cannot stop talking him, all the quality he has, that is close to ridiculous.

“Off the ball, on the ball, can score a free-kick, his work rate is at another level off the ball, so not only the way he runs but the intensity he presses with, that’s unbelievable.

“And I think we can all see how much technique, how much game insight he has. If you are able to play right full-back, holding midfielder, offensive midfielder, right-winger, then you must have so many qualities if you are able to play in all these positions.

“He has been vital for us this season, and last season by the way. He will continue to be that for the upcoming season, like Milos.”