Arne Slot explains why Van Dijk is ‘vital’ to Liverpool this season

Arne Slot has publicly praised Virgil van Dijk forward of Liverpool’s FA Cup conflict with Brighton, describing the captain as “very important” to the way in which we operate each defensively and offensively.

Talking on the AXA Coaching Centre on Friday morning through Liverpool FC on YouTube, the 47-year-old head coach was requested concerning the significance of the Netherlands worldwide following one other commanding show within the 1-0 win over Sunderland.

Van Dijk scored the one aim of the sport on the Stadium of Mild with a robust header from Mo Salah’s nook, taking his tally to 4 targets in all competitions this season.

Slot didn’t hesitate in outlining simply how central our No.4 stays.

“Very important, after all. Not even wanting on the quantity of choices we have now at centre-back as a result of if he’s not taking part in, there are not any choices left. The identical for Ibou, by the way in which, though Joe is coming again now.”

Van Dijk’s health and mentality praised by Slot

Arne Slot was notably eager to spotlight how outstanding it’s that Virgil van Dijk continues to play each three days at 34 years outdated.

“[Virgil] has been match each single time – and I’ve stated this earlier than, how huge of an accomplishment that’s for a participant of his ‘age’ as a result of he’s not the youngest anymore, [but he] performs each three days.”

The Liverpool captain has began all 26 Premier League matches this season, clocking up 2,340 minutes, in line with Sofascore.

Throughout these appearances, Van Dijk has contributed eight clear sheets, averaged 7.9 clearances per recreation and received 76% of his aerial duels, underlining his dominance in each bins.

Slot added that the consistency is not any accident.

“That’s not a coincidence as a result of if I have a look at how a lot work he places in every day to recuperate, to be prepared for the following [game] instantly when the sport finishes until the second the following recreation begins.”

The Dutch defender has appeared in 36 of a attainable 38 matches in all competitions, taking part in extra minutes than another Liverpool participant this season.

Van Dijk’s affect at each ends of the pitch

The Sunderland winner was one other reminder that Van Dijk stays a risk within the opposition field as properly.

Within the Premier League this time period, he has scored twice from an anticipated targets determine of 1.90, whereas sustaining an 89% cross accuracy and averaging over 90 touches per match.

Slot was clear concerning the offensive worth he brings.

“It’s very important. He scored one towards Bournemouth, scored one now and has already scored a couple of vital targets for us this season and positively final season as properly.”

“He’s a giant risk within the air offensively and defensively he’s actually vital for us to not concede. So, very important and I hope he’ll rating many extra for us at set-pieces this season.”

Van Dijk himself described the Sunderland victory as “An ideal win”, and his supervisor’s feedback now reinforce how central he stays to Liverpool’s ambitions.

The Dutchman has additionally made a public plea to Ibou Konate to increase his keep on the membership, clearly valuing continuity for his last years with the Reds.

As we put together to face Brighton at Anfield, it’s clear that Arne Slot sees Virgil van Dijk not simply as a starter, however as the muse of this staff’s resilience, management and consistency.

You’ll be able to view Slot’s post-Sunderland press convention through Empire of the Kop on YouTube: