Virgil van Dijk addresses Arne Slot criticism after dramatic winner against Everton

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The under-fire Liverpool boss eased some of the pressure with a huge win in Sunday's Merseyside derby that lifts the Reds seven points ahead of Chelsea in the race for the top five

Virgil van Dijk has discussed the criticism Arne Slot has faced this season(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the criticism Arne Slot has faced this season, but insisted any negativity should be directed at the team as a whole, not just the head coach.

Slot’s decision-making, tactical approach and media responses have been heavily scrutinized this season as the Reds have regressed from champions to top-five contenders. Sunday’s win at Everton means that aim should be achieved, with Liverpool now holding a seven-point advantage over sixth-place Chelsea.

Securing a spot in the Champions League could well save Slot’s job in a trophyless campaign, and from the team’s post-match celebrations at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the relief of taking all three points was clear.

Asked about Slot and the criticism he has faced, Van Dijk told BBC’s Match of the Day: “[The win is] good for all of us. It's not just the manager that get criticized and rightly so.

“It's about being together, go through these five games together. It's going to be very difficult. We have to regroup and be fresh for next season because that won't be easy.

“That's an understatement to say it's been a tough season,” Van Dijk added on a campaign that sees the champions sitting 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Slot has faced criticism throughout the season(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“We've been very poor, what we are used to and should expect from Liverpool. We have five games left, we have to give it everything, at least qualify for the Champions League.

“Next year, we have to do much better in every sense. That's the reality. Five more games left and we have to give it everything.”

Van Dijk scored the winning goal in the first derby at Everton’s new home, which sparked jubilant scenes in the away end.

Andy Robertson said that scoring a winning goal in injury time was the perfect way to mark the Reds’ first visit to the Hill Dickinson, and Van Dijk was delighted with the resilience shown by the side.

“I enjoyed it because it was a very big, important three points,” he said. “First game here, so [it’s] good to get a win. We knew it was going to be a battle, that was expected.

“We responded pretty well after the first disallowed goal with the goal we scored. We had some shots from distance and happy that I could contribute with a goal as well in the end.

“Goodison was always very difficult, very intense, compact and they had a great time over there.

"For us, it was important to get our first win here in our first game here."