Slot blindsided by Van Dijk’s request for players-only Liverpool meeting

Liverpool are back in Champions League action this week following claims that Virgil van Dijk requested a players‑only meeting after they dropped more points against Burnley

Arne Slot claims he is not aware of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk requesting a ‘players-only’ meeting ahead of their Champions League clash with Marseille. Reports suggested the Dutch defender was set to hold another players meeting on Monday in an effort to address the issues threatening to derail their European qualification.

Van Dijk was angered by the team’s sloppiness that allowed Burnley to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Anfield last weekend. His frustration was evident, with reports claiming he left the dressing room unusually quickly after the Reds dropped more points to speak to the media.

“I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy and it’s not the first time,” he said. “It’s been spoken about already but we have to address it again apparently and Monday will be a big one for it because Wednesday will be a very difficult game over there not only because of the atmosphere but it’s against a [Roberto] De Zerbi team who make it very difficult for you.

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“It’s not about me addressing it, it is about how can we solve it because we all want to win games and we had plenty of chances to do so [against Burnley].”

The defender was said to be preparing to address the squad at the training ground on Monday (January 19), which would have been the second time he has done so this season.

His first meeting came after the defeat to Manchester United in October, during a spell in which Liverpool lost nine of 12 matches.

Reds boss Slot has now addressed those claims during his press conference on Tuesday. He said: “I am not aware that Virgil called for [team meeting], we had a post-match meeting led by me.

“Once this season I am aware the players came together, months ago. Post-match meeting was positives we did and where we can do a bit better to make sure if you perform like that – so many shots – that doesn’t result in a draw.”

Van Dijk, a key leader for the team, is set to make his 350th appearance in a Reds shirt and will become the 50th player in the club’s history to reach the landmark.

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“He is unbelievable of course, Premier League twice, some domestic cups, the Champions League as well,” Slot went on to say. “And he only had one big injury in his Liverpool career, so not fair to take age into account but for him to be as fit as he is, the level he brings, still very good for us.

“To be fit every single three days, then we go to Bournemouth, lot of players are overloaded a bit, why we play the same players, to stay at that level, to stay fit, all the things Virgil has won, only positive.”

A victory at the Orange Velodrome on Wednesday could move the Reds into the top eight teams who qualify automatically for the knockout stages – though that will depend on results elsewhere on matchday seven.

Liverpool have so far won four of their six games, losing the other two.

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