Virgil van Dijk is surprised by Liverpool’s performances this season. The Reds' captain did not expect Arne Slot’s team to have such a comfortable lead over their rivals at this stage of the campaign. After the away win at Leicester City, Van Dijk also commented on the role of match-winner Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is likely to move to Real Madrid this coming summer.
Liverpool’s push for a historic twentieth English league title continued on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Leicester City.
The match was decided by a crucial second-half goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench to make a significant impact. While the win brought Liverpool one step closer to securing the Premier League title, it also offered a moment of reflection from captain Virgil van Dijk, who admitted that the team’s current dominance has come as a surprise even to him.
Van Dijk spoke candidly after the match, explaining that although he had faith in new manager Arne Slot at the start of the season, the reality of leading the league by such a wide margin with only four games remaining had exceeded even his most optimistic expectations. The Dutch defender noted that the transition into the new campaign wasn’t easy on a personal level. After a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign with the Netherlands and a short holiday break, Van Dijk rejoined the squad without the benefit of a proper preseason. Despite those challenges, he said the belief and clarity brought in by Slot from day one helped the squad quickly find its rhythm and grow in confidence.
He emphasized that consistency has been the key to Liverpool’s strong season. Maintaining high standards week after week in a physically and mentally demanding league is no small feat, but Liverpool have managed to do so with remarkable efficiency. Van Dijk admitted that he couldn’t have predicted they’d be thirteen points ahead at this stage not due to a lack of belief in the team’s quality, but because the scenario was simply beyond anything he had imagined. Now, he said, the objective is clear: to finish the job and lift the title once again.
The captain also had high praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned from injury and scored the decisive goal against Leicester. Van Dijk called him a “special player,” noting that even amid swirling transfer rumors linking him to Real Madrid, Trent remains focused and committed on the pitch. The defender acknowledged that the right-back’s contract is set to expire soon, and that unlike himself or Mohamed Salah, Alexander-Arnold has yet to renew his deal. While a departure remains a possibility, Van Dijk stressed that for now, Trent is a Liverpool player and continues to be an essential part of the team.
He added that since joining Liverpool, he has come to know Trent as a fantastic player who will be remembered for many positive things at the club regardless of whether he stays or eventually moves on. He pointed out that Alexander-Arnold hasn’t yet shared his future plans with the squad and that the pressure on him is immense. Everyone has an opinion, Van Dijk said, but sometimes people forget that Trent is a person, not just a footballer. For that reason, he said, it was especially meaningful to see him enjoy his moment of success against Leicester.
Looking ahead, Liverpool have the opportunity to secure the league title as early as Sunday with a win at home against Tottenham Hotspur. However, the celebrations could potentially come even sooner if Arsenal currently second in the table lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Van Dijk revealed that the squad plans to watch that match together, although he expects Arsenal to win. Still, he said, it would be a special moment for the team to share if things go their way.
For Van Dijk, a title this season would mark his second with Liverpool, following the long-awaited triumph in 2020. This time, however, it would be as captain a role he has embraced with pride. He expressed his admiration for Arne Slot, describing him as a manager who demands a lot from both the team and its leaders. According to Van Dijk, Slot has not only brought tactical structure and discipline but has also helped elevate the squad to an even higher level. The captain, who extended his contract with Liverpool last week, said the coaching staff deserves full credit for what the team has achieved so far.
As Liverpool edge closer to yet another Premier League trophy, the atmosphere around the club is filled with cautious optimism, admiration for those leading the charge, and a growing sense that something special is unfolding at Anfield once again. Whether or not Alexander-Arnold remains part of that journey beyond this season, his contributions just like those of Van Dijk and the rest of the squad are already shaping what could be remembered as one of the club’s most impressive title runs.
