Slot’s Light Remark Backfires as Van Dijk Calls Journalist’s Question Disrespectful after Marseille Win

Controversial Question Meets Light-Hearted Reply

Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, sat in the Velodrome press room on Tuesday and faced a highly charged question: did Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid coach linked as a possible successor, reach out to him? Slot answered with a light touch: “He called and said he would take the job in six months, or maybe sooner.”

But the joke did not land with everyone. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool captain, said the question had crossed a line.

Van Dijk Responds and the 350th Liverpool Appearance

According to BBC, the Dutch defender spoke to the journalist after a 3-0 win over Marseille in the final group game of the Champions League, and made the point clearly: that question was disrespectful.

Van Dijk used the moment to stress what matters: criticism is only warranted if we consider what we’ve delivered this season versus last; it’s been a tough spell for both players and coach, but the team has handled it well.

Unbeaten Run Continues After Marseille Win

That Marseille match carried personal significance for van Dijk, who reached his 350th appearance for Liverpool and marked the milestone with a win and a clean sheet. “My 350th game, we won and we didn’t concede,” he said, adding that it was one of the club’s best performances this season.

Since the 1–4 defeat to Eindhoven in the Champions League, Liverpool have not lost, running 13 games unbeaten to show resilience and balance as the campaign heads into decisive weeks.

Punchline 1: If honesty were a football, that journalist just tried a through ball and hit the stand. Classic off-target humor.

Punchline 2: Liverpool’s defense is so solid that even rumors bounce off it and land in Row Z, politely sipping coffee with the fans.