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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.