Arne Slot has finally addressed one of football’s most talked-about controversies of the week, speaking out about the tense exchange between Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. After staying quiet amid the media storm, the Liverpool manager has now shared his perspective, admitting he “couldn’t stay silent any longer.”
The dispute began when Rooney publicly questioned Van Dijk’s leadership this season, suggesting the defender had not been as inspiring as in previous years. Van Dijk responded strongly, calling Rooney’s critique “lazy” and “unfair,” leading to a heated face-to-face exchange after Liverpool’s narrow 1–0 Champions League win over Real Madrid at Anfield.
Fans and pundits quickly weighed in, and footage of the confrontation spread widely on social media. Throughout it all, Slot remained quiet—until now.
During Friday’s press conference, Slot made his position clear: Van Dijk is the leader of the team. “You hear him. You feel him. He sets the tone the moment we walk onto the training pitch at AXA,” Slot said.
The manager went further, describing Van Dijk as the “heartbeat” of the squad. His authority, voice, and presence on the training ground, Slot said, set standards unmatched by anyone else. “I’ve had captains at other clubs, but I’ve rarely seen someone as vocal, influential, and consistently demanding as Virgil,” he added.
Slot also defended Van Dijk against claims that his performances had dipped since signing a new contract. He argued that high expectations naturally invite criticism. “He sets the bar at 10 out of 10,” Slot explained. “So when he plays at nine out of 10, people criticise. Other players would be praised for that level. But because Virgil has been extraordinary for so long, the standards are different.”
While Slot acknowledged a few isolated defensive lapses this season, he insisted they were blown out of proportion. “Maybe he should see it as a compliment,” he said. “He is judged against the highest standards in Europe—and he has earned that.”
Slot’s comments also hinted that Rooney’s critique may have been influenced by historical rivalry. Although he did not state it outright, the manager suggested that not all criticism comes from a neutral perspective, considering Rooney’s long-standing ties to Manchester United and Everton.
Rooney himself softened his stance earlier in the week, clarifying that his remarks had been “overly interpreted” and acknowledging that Van Dijk remains a top defender, even if the aura of invincibility around him has slightly faded. Nonetheless, many Liverpool supporters remained critical, noting the timing of Rooney’s comments, which came just hours after the team’s biggest European win of the season.
Inside Liverpool, Slot’s message is unambiguous: the captaincy is not up for debate. Van Dijk remains the undisputed leader, supported by the players, staff, and now the manager himself.
Whether this marks the end of the controversy or the start of a new chapter remains to be seen, but one point is clear: Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool captain, and Arne Slot is firmly behind him.
