Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has shared his honest opinion on the new rule imposed by head coach Arne Slot at the club.
The festive season at Anfield has started with much joy, as the Reds currently lead both the PL and UCL points table.
However, most Kopites could not think of this immense feat at the beginning of the 2024-25 season as the club underwent some major changes, the most significant being Jurgen Klopp departing LFC.
The German mastermind left behind an eight-and-a-half year’s legacy where he led the Merseyside club to Premier League and Champions League glory.
Coming in from the Eredivisie side Feyenoord, the new head coach Arne Slot had to prove his worth as most people doubted that the English giants would become a shadow of themselves after Klopp’s departure.
However, Slot has drowned all those doubts in River Mersey and has arguably made the team even better than of Klopp’s during his last few months.
The players have also admitted to enjoying playing under the management of the former Feyenoord boss and everything seems to be in sync.
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Van Dijk on new Slot rule at Liverpool
Recently praising how well his fellow Dutchman has conditioned with the team in red, skipper Virgil van Dijk said,
“I think the step from, with all respect, the Dutch league to the Premier League is a big one in terms of being a player, but for a manager, it is exactly the same. He has done very well so far, and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad not only as football players but as human beings – guys who will go to war for each other – and I think he has been so far so good.
He makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied, focus on what is ahead of us next, and keep improving. You see the patterns we try to do, you see, we can change in games or at half-time, and it’s obviously a big credit to him.”
And speaking to The Mirror, the towering defender elaborated on the new rule Slot has implemented at the Anfield club that lets the players stay in their homes instead of hotels before a home game. Van Dijk stated,
“It’s everyone’s own preference, but it’s the rules now. Personally, I like to sleep in my own bed and be with my family, and so it works out quite well. But what we did in the past worked out quite well, too, as we’ve been very successful in terms of winning.
Personally, at this stage of my life, I definitely like to be as much at home as possible. And I’ve got all the resources to get myself ready in terms of recovery, whether it’s a pool, sauna, ice bath, or anything else I need to get ready.
Obviously, we travel quite a lot [as well]; FaceTime is a big tool that could sort of keep you a little with your family. But this year, the regime has changed, and we have a little bit more time to be home and not spending time in too many hotels, and it gives you a little bit more time to be with your family.”
Van Dijk’s claim that this decision of staying at their own homes before Anfield fixtures has definitely been proven right.
The Merseyside players have won every single home game except for the Nottingham Forest clash, which has been their only loss this season.
The Reds were also able to thrash Leicester City 3-1 yesterday at the Merseyside and strengthened their PL foothold at the top spot with 42 points after 17 games so far.
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