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Arne Slot is giving his Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk more responsibility on the pitch

Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at AXA Training Centre on October 01, 2024(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has welcomed the extra responsibility handed out by Arne Slot as he detailed the way in which he is being asked to change his game by the Liverpool boss. The arrival of Slot in the dugout has prompted a switch from the occasional chaos of predecessor Jurgen Klopp towards a more controlled, composed style of play.

Van Dijk admits that is something to which the Reds are still adjusting, having been disappointed with aspects of the recent wins over Wolves and Bologna.

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There is a greater emphasis on playing out from the back, as was evidenced by Liverpool's second goal against Bologna on Wednesday when Van Dijk's ball through the lines to Diogo Jota prompted the move from which Mohamed Salah eventually scored.

And the Liverpool skipper said: "He has asked a lot of me but I like that. He knows that I am very comfortable on the ball at the back.

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"I have different weapons in my opinion. Obviously, I can play a 60–70 yard pass, but I am also comfortable breaking the lines and if you have players there that can be in the right position like we have then it speeds things up and helps.

“It is a good thing. I definitely have that responsibility. It all starts with me, Ali and Ibou (Konate) to hopefully create a good attack.

“It has been a big change for me because obviously over the years we played a certain way under Jurgen and very successfully. You keep that and stick to that principle.

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“Things have changed in terms of having more responsibility for starting attacks and I am enjoying it.

“It is something I can show and it is a surprise for people to maybe see me doing it, but it was always there. I showed it now and enjoyed it. It is another string to my bow.”