Liverpool captain Van Dijk sets example for UNGRATEFUL-sounding teammates

Virgil van Dijk yet again showed exactly how his teammates should act, leading by example when asked a probing question about the difference between Arne Slot and Jürgen Klopp. 

There’s no question that everyone affiliated with Liverpool has been very pleased by the start that Arne Slot has made at Anfield, with only one result so far clouding the exceptional start the Dutchman has made at the club.

However, there is an argument that a lot of comments made by the players to reiterate how pleased they are to be working under their new head coach could be seen as disrespect towards Jürgen Klopp mere months after his departure.

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We’ve seen plenty of Liverpool’s squad compare Slot in more favourable terms to Klopp, with Curtis Jones describing the time since Slot arrived as “the happiest he’s ever been”, and Trent Alexander-Arnold saying "It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better.”

Last week, Alisson Becker told Joe Hart that Klopp's departure was NEEDED.

Of course, we should also point out that these same players were full of praise when Klopp announced his intention to leave Liverpool. By no means are these defining comments, but in an attempt to praise Slot they are indirectly putting down the incredible work of his predecessor.

In the case of Jones and Alexander-Arnold moreover it was Klopp who brought them into the first-team squad and made them stars.

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Van Dijk, on the other hand, was able to toe the line perfectly when asked about there being a greater level of control under Slot after Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Bologna.

“I don’t know, we had an amazing time with Jurgen Klopp, we were very successful. Obviously, the new manager came in and he has his principles and values and everything that comes with it and we try to do that as good as possible.”

A wonderfully balanced response from the Reds’ captain, and it would be prudent of some of his teammates to try and replicate his more measured tone given the constant line of questioning around whether Slot’s style of play is superior to Klopp’s.