'Came as a surprise': Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to Arne Slot sacking

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/slot-arne/lnG1OUjk/"]Arne Slot[/a] was sacked as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a] manager after a disappointing campaign, in which the defending Premier League champions finished sixth and reached the UEFA Champions League by the skin of their teeth.[/p][p]Captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-dijk-virgil/U59RNqOr/"]Virgil van Dijk[/a], who was the only Premier League player to not miss a minute during the 2025-26 season, told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he was surprised by the decision.[/p][p][b]"That came as a surprise. I spoke to Arne and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me. I know Liverpool will come out of this well," [/b]Van Dijk said after the Netherlands' 1-0 loss to Algeria.[/p][embed guid="e2617ea3-ce3a-428a-9668-aa9cb951c0bf" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2060687923154960576?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Van Dijk was kept out of the loop from the club's decision-making, he said.[/p][p][b]"I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday, and the news had already been leaked. I then had discussions with the club, but the decision had already been made by then. It’s not as though they asked me for my opinion."[/b][/p][p]Liverpool are expected to appoint former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as Slot's successor, with an announcement expected soon.[/p]