How has Van Dijk influenced Liverpool’s style of play under Arne Slot?

Under the new head coach Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk’s role has become even more important both professionally and mentally.

Not only does Virgil van Dijk stand out for his defensive ability, he is also an exemplary captain. His thoughtful conversations with teammates, words of encouragement for young players and positive interactions with fans all demonstrate the Dutch star’s dedication to his role as captain of Liverpool and the Netherlands.

Ahead of EURO 2024, Van Dijk wrote individual letters to each member of the Netherlands squad, full of encouragement and practicality. The 33-year-old centre-back wore the captain’s armband for the 100th time against Arsenal and has won 71 matches during this period.

As Liverpool face the post-Jurgen Klopp era, Van Dijk calm and motivated the whole team. The 1991-born player understands that his role will become even bigger at the club and this will help new captain Arne Slot manage the team better.

“Before working with Van Dijk, I used to think that I no longer believed in the concept of a comprehensive leader. However, he is a real leader, not only in matches but also in training sessions” – Arne Slot shared.

Under the guidance of the 46-year-old strategist, Van Dijk also has upgraded his playing style. A highlight is his cross-line passes, surpassing the opponent right from the home field.

Initially, Slot planned to let Martin Zubimendi – Liverpool’s target player in the summer – play the main role of receiving the ball from the defense. However, due to the deal with the Spanish midfielder not being successful, Ryan Gravenberch was trusted to take on this position and quickly proved himself.

Since the start of the season, Gravenberch has received 73 passes from Van Dijk, making him the most passing duo in the Premier League this season. In addition, the Klopp captain has also made 50 direct passes to Alexis Mac Allister. These statistics highlight the change in tactics by Arne Slot.

Importantly, the quality of Van Dijk’s passes to Gravenberch is very high. They are precisely timed, allowing the 22-year-old midfielder to open his body to receive the ball and even perform a “Gravenberch turn” – a familiar dribbling move.

The precise long passes are very pleasing to Arne Slot as he always aims for lightning-fast attacks. Van Dijk has adapted well to this change, thanks to his excellent technique and passing ability.

“It’s a big change because we used to play our own way under Jurgen Klopp and it was quite successful. Now I have more responsibility to initiate attacks and I like it. Maybe people are surprised by this change, but that skill has always been in me” – Van Dijk shared.

The difference in Van Dijk’s style of play is clear when comparing his passes from last season to this season. Cluster analysis of passes shows that last season, the 33-year-old centre-back often made simple passes to his partner or full-back.

This season, in addition to the familiar passes, direct passes to Gravenberch have become an indispensable part, with 40% of Van Dijk’s passes being directed forward – the highest since the 2018-2019 season. This shows his responsibility in progressing the ball for Liverpool.

Van Dijk’s adjustments have helped the Anfield team make an impressive start to the season. The Dutch star’s optimism and presence in training sessions have also had a positive effect. His excellent form has also reminded the Reds’ board about extending their contracts.