“He helped us win the last game, and now look what happened after Slot benched him…” – Van Dijk blasts the manager, claiming the player is essential to Liverpool’s success.
Anfield is on edge tonight after shocking reports emerged that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has openly clashed with manager Arne Slot following the team’s disappointing result over the weekend.
According to multiple inside sources, the Dutch defender is said to be furious with Slot’s decision to bench a key player who, in Van Dijk’s words, “helped us win the last game.” The move reportedly created deep tension in the dressing room and left Van Dijk so frustrated that he warned he could step down as captain if the same decision happens again.
“He helped us win the last game, and now look what happened after Slot benched him… I’m totally disappointed,” Van Dijk was quoted as saying in a tense post-match confrontation.
The incident has triggered major concerns about growing friction within the Liverpool squad — and raised questions about Slot’s management just months into his tenure.
A Sudden Rift Between Leader and Manager
Sources close to the team describe the atmosphere inside the dressing room as “unbearable” following the match. Players were reportedly stunned by Van Dijk’s emotional reaction, which came moments after a frustrating draw that many feel could have been avoided.
The issue centers around Slot’s controversial team selection, which left out one of Liverpool’s top performers from the previous match — a player Van Dijk believes is the heart of their recent success.
“Virgil feels betrayed,” said one insider. “He believes that player brings balance, passion, and stability. To see him benched after helping secure their last win made no sense to him.
“He’s the Key to Our Success” – Van Dijk’s Hidden Message
Van Dijk’s comments, though not naming the player directly, have fueled intense speculation among fans and pundits. The Dutch captain reportedly told close teammates that the benched player is “the key to Liverpool’s success” — insisting the team simply doesn’t perform the same way without him on the pitch.
The statement has sparked debates across football circles. Some believe Van Dijk was referring to a midfield dynamo whose energy drives Liverpool’s pressing system, while others suspect he meant a forward whose creativity changed the flow of their last game.
Regardless of who it is, one thing is clear: Van Dijk’s loyalty to that teammate runs deep — so deep that he’s allegedly willing to risk his captaincy over the issue.
“Virgil told Slot that if this continues, he won’t lead a team that ignores its best performers,” the insider added. “It’s a strong stance, but it shows how frustrated he’s become.”