Van Dijk Condemns Disrespectful Question On Alonso Links To Liverpool Coach Role

Virgil van Dijk defends Arne Slot after Liverpool’s 3-0 Champions League win over Marseille, criticising a question about Xabi Alonso’s links to the Liverpool head coach role. The centre-back addresses reporters after the match and makes clear that raising possible replacements on such a night, with Slot still in charge, crosses a line for the current squad.

The issue starts before kick-off, when Slot is asked about reports connecting former Liverpool midfielder Alonso with the job. Alonso leaves Real Madrid earlier this month and is immediately mentioned as a possible option for Liverpool. Van Dijk reacts strongly after the game, viewing the timing and subject of the question as unfair to Slot.

Liverpool’s performance against Marseille extends

an impressive unbeaten sequence to 13 matches in all competitions. That run includes seven wins and six draws and is currently the longest active streak for any side in Europe’s top five leagues. Their form under Slot is particularly strong away from home in the Champions League league phase.

Since the start of last season, Liverpool win six of eight away matches in the league phase, losing two. That record matches Arsenal, who also play eight such fixtures, winning six, drawing one and losing one. These numbers underline why the club’s hierarchy still backs Slot despite the external noise and earlier criticism.

Slot faces heavy scrutiny between September and November, when Liverpool’s results dip and the team falls out of the Premier League title race. Comments from Mohamed Salah after a 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December increase pressure further. The question about Alonso, so soon after that period, clearly irritates senior players in the dressing room.

"I think that was very disrespectful, he told reporters after the match. "

Well in, Reds pic.twitter.com/YGNXGvlXQxLiverpool FC (@LFC) January 21, 2026

Van Dijk then defends Slot in more detail. "Criticism is part of the game, we all know that, but I think theres also a reason why hes not here, the journalist. I think its disrespectful, I think everyone agrees with that. Criticism is part and parcel for us, its what we live with and thats absolutely justified if you look at what we do in the seasonunfortunately for us, but it is, especially based on last season. "

Liverpool now look to extend this 13-match unbeaten sequence when they visit Bournemouth on Saturday. The schedule then moves back to Europe, with the final Champions League league phase fixture against Qarabag next week. Those games offer Slot and the squad a chance to keep easing pressure and let results answer ongoing questions.