Europe Sports
‘Slot’s Liverpool will evolve, but he can build with Salah & Van Dijk’
Virgil van Dijk is more than just Liverpool’s leader on the pitch. He is also hugely important to the way they play under Arne Slot.
That’s why it’s brilliant news for the club that he has followed Mohamed Salah and signed a new contract to keep him at Anfield for another two years.
The pair of them are already Liverpool legends because of what they have done for the club, but they are going to be a big part of what happens next too.
There are still going to be some changes when Slot shapes his squad at the end of this season but it will mostly be a case of strengthening rather than filling the huge hole he’d have been left with if two such iconic stars had gone.
It is going to be fascinating to see what happens next but, with Van Dijk and Salah staying, Slot can build his team around them instead of having to replace them first.
‘The biggest reason Liverpool can pour forward’
Van Dijk allows Liverpool to play with a high line, and be aggressive in the way they play, because of his speed and strength together with his quality in the air and in one-on-one situations.
The team are less gung-ho under Slot than they were in the last couple of seasons under Jurgen Klopp, and now they tend to only flood players forward when they know they have got a better foundation in behind, if they do lose the ball.
Even so, Van Dijk can still get dragged out of position sometimes when their back four is unbalanced – for example when Alexander-Arnold goes into midfield and Ibrahima Konate has to shift across.
But he always looks comfortable – and it appears almost effortless when he deals with whatever situation he is put in.
He’s the biggest reason Liverpool can attack and pour forward with confidence, knowing they are not leaving the door open behind them.
Van Dijk makes it all look very easy and is extremely consistent too, so when he has a couple of shaky games, or even just difficult moments in games like he had against Everton and Fulham at the beginning of April, you always notice, but I always expect a big response to any mistakes.
When people talk about the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, he is obviously right up there.
If you could genetically engineer the perfect defender then you would build Van Dijk because on top of his physicality he can pass the ball brilliantly to launch attacks, and has this calmness about him too.
We often talk about when a player has composure on the ball, but what is special about Van Dijk is how composed he looks without it, because of his positioning and anticipation.
The barometer of an elite-level centre-back is whether they are in control of the striker they are facing, or vice versa.
It’s very rare that Van Dijk is not in control, in any game, and he gives Liverpool the platform to dominate their opponents.
How Slot’s system gives Salah more space
Salah has thrived under Slot and the way Liverpool play now definitely suits him, and makes him harder to stop.
One of the tweaks Slot made from Liverpool’s playing style under Klopp was to add an extra attacker, and now we see Dominik Szoboszlai playing high up the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It means more defenders are drawn towards the other players, and that gives Salah more space than he had in Klopp’s 4-3-3 shape.
As a former full-back myself, I know the last thing you want in that position when you are facing him – and Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo on Liverpool’s left – is to be isolated in a one-versus-one situation with them.
When they are narrower, they are running inside into more bodies and have less of an effect on the game, but this season Salah is being asked to stay very high and wide.
That’s partly down to Szoboszlai almost playing like a false striker, because Salah doesn’t want to congest that central space too much, but his incredible numbers this season show how the system works.
He has been quieter of late – his assist for Luis Diaz’s goal against West Ham on Sunday was his first goal or assist, other than penalties, since the end of February – but even during this spell where his form has dipped, you can tell Slot is reluctant to take him off because he knows if something falls for Salah, then more often than not he is going to convert it.
What is going to be interesting is the relationship he has with the right-back next season, whether it is Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Bradley.
Whoever plays in that role will know that Salah is not going to track back as much as he once did, which adds to their defensive responsibilities. And if the right-back is still getting forward as well, it means one of the centre midfielders and the right-sided centre-back will have to get across to cover more often.
Alexander-Arnold’s future is still uncertain and his exit would affect the whole team, but it would have implications for Salah, in particular, given the phenomenal dynamic they have down the right.
If he leaves, Salah is going to lose some of his supply line for chances too.
I look back at the first game under Slot, at Ipswich last August, when Alexander-Arnold plays that ball behind the defence for Salah to run on to and set up Diogo Jota. It looks so easy, but it’s not.
Durability is not a fluke
Some people pointed at the run of games in March and April where Salah did not perform well and put it down to his age – he turns 33 in June – but I don’t see that as a factor.
Like Van Dijk, who turns 34 in July, he has started every Premier League game this season, so durability is not an issue.
You can see the condition Salah is in from his social media posts, but you only understand why he is in such fantastic shape when you hear his team-mates speak about his approach to training.
I’ve listened to interviews with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones where they talk about how Salah is always first at the training ground and how hard he works during sessions and in the gym.
So it is not a fluke that he is able to play all these games. He is prepared to put in the work off the pitch.
It is exactly the same with Van Dijk, and it shows their professionalism as well as their hunger for success. They have both won it all with Liverpool but they still want more.
We will probably see both of them rotated more next season, especially Salah, and they will obviously need replacing at some point – but it must be a huge relief to Slot to know that time has not come yet.
What is going to change?
It looks as if Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first season, although until last weekend’s results I actually was not too confident about that, despite Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table.
The team have looked exhausted in recent weeks, with lack of rotation one of the reasons for that.
It felt as if there was far more trust in the squad in the first half of the campaign. Since then, Slot has almost reverted to a certain team and they are starting to look a bit tired, and far more vulnerable.
I am certainly not criticising Slot, because to do what he has done with a team he has inherited is still incredible, but I feel he knows he needs to strengthen and that we will see the difference next season when he has the squad depth he wants.
Even when Liverpool have looked heavy-legged, Slot has hardly given a sniff to Elliott or Federico Chiesa in midfield or up front. He either doesn’t trust them, or feels they are not suited to his system.
It’s the same with Jarell Quansah. He was on the bench against Fulham but, when Konate came off, Ryan Gravenberch dropped back to centre-half instead.
Whatever the reason, it feels almost a case where Slot is getting across the line using this squad this season, and there are going to be wholesale changes in the summer.
It makes what he has done in such a short space of time even more impressive, especially handling the contract issues of three of his biggest stars at the same time too.
Source: BBC Sports
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for an initial fee of £46.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract and becomes Pep Guardiola’s fourth signing of the summer, following Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki.
Reijnders’ arrival comes just in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with the midfielder eligible to make his debut on June 18 against Wydad AC.
“I’m ecstatic to be joining Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with the best manager, world-class players, and fantastic facilities. I want to contribute to more success in the years ahead.”
The Netherlands international, capped 23 times, had an impressive campaign with AC Milan last season, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions. His performances earned him the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award. Despite being left on the bench during the Netherlands’ recent 8–0 win over Malta, Reijnders’ form remains undeniable.
With Kevin De Bruyne departing the club, Reijnders is expected to provide much-needed strength and creativity in the middle of the park, as City look to bounce back from their third-place finish in the Premier League last season.
City Gear Up for Club World Cup with Major Reinforcements
Manchester City have made a clear statement of intent ahead of the expanded Club World Cup in the U.S., reinforcing their squad amid concerns over depth and key departures.
While initially linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, the club opted instead for a trio of signings—Reijnders, Cherki, and Ait-Nouri—at a combined cost of around £108 million, notably less than Wirtz’s reported €150m (£127m) asking price.
All three new additions, along with goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, will be available for selection as City begin their campaign against Moroccan side Wydad AC on June 18 in Philadelphia.
Reijnders Seen as Key Piece in Guardiola’s Evolving Midfield
Reijnders joins City during a period of transition, with several senior players likely to leave. Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker have all been linked with exits, while the futures of Ederson, Ortega, Ake, and Stones remain uncertain.
Guardiola’s midfield is undergoing a reshuffle, especially with long-serving players like Ilkay Gundogan gone, Bernardo Silva potentially departing, and Mateo Kovacic out injured. Despite the £50m acquisition of Nico Gonzalez in February, City’s midfield lacked dynamism and physical presence last season—areas Reijnders is expected to improve.
Turning 27 in July, Reijnders brings power and versatility to City’s midfield. Last season, he registered 10 goals and 4 assists in Serie A, with only Napoli’s Scott McTominay producing more goal contributions among midfielders (16).
He also ranked highly across key passing and ball-carrying metrics:
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9th in Serie A for forward passes
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5th for through balls and ball carries
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7th for carries over 10 meters
Crucially, Reijnders led the league in sequences that led to a shot (205) and was second in secondary chances created (49), underlining his ability to orchestrate attacks and link up play in advanced areas.
“He’s the kind of player who’ll thrive under Guardiola,” said Italian football journalist Daniele Verri. “He covers a lot of ground, has improved significantly, and is eager to keep learning.”
Tactical Fit: A Perfect Match for Rodri
Former Premier League coach Edu Rubio believes Reijnders is a strong complement to Rodri in midfield.
“His energy, willingness to stretch defenses, and ability to operate in tight spaces make him a great fit for Guardiola’s system,” said Rubio. “His receiving skills and running power will bring a new dynamic to City’s midfield.”
However, Rubio noted that adapting to the Premier League’s fast-paced transitions will be key: “In a team that dominates possession, he’ll need to quickly learn when to push forward and when to hold his position.”
Europe Sports
Schweinsteiger Backs Manchester United for Europa League Glory After Dominant Semi-Final Win
Former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has tipped the Red Devils to lift the Europa League trophy following their commanding 3-0 first-leg semi-final victory over Athletic Club.
United delivered a dominant performance in Spain, with a brace from Bruno Fernandes and a goal from Casemiro giving them a strong advantage ahead of Thursday’s return leg. The result also preserved their record as the only unbeaten side across all three European competitions—Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
While their domestic campaign has been underwhelming—potentially ending with their lowest Premier League finish and points tally—United have found renewed form in Europe. Their convincing win over Athletic Club highlights a team finding its rhythm at the right time.
Schweinsteiger, who played for Manchester United during the 2015 season, told Flashscore that he’s optimistic about his former club’s European prospects.
“With Bruno Fernandes controlling the midfield and young players stepping up like Alejandro Garnacho, they’re building momentum,” said the Bayern Munich legend.
“The match against Athletic impressed me a lot. After the red card, it boosted players’ momentum to play. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go all the way and lift the Europa League trophy. It’s about picking the form at the right time.”
United will look to bounce back from their weekend loss to Brentford as they prepare for the second leg against Athletic Club. A victory could set up a potential Europa League final showdown with Spurs on May 21.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
The 33-year-old centre-back’s previous contract had been set to expire at the end of the season.
But the Dutchman has joined forward Mohamed Salah, who signed a two-year extension last week, in committing his future to the club.
“It was always Liverpool,” said Van Dijk, who had been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain.
“That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.”
The Dutchman, who has made 314 appearances for the Reds, was named Liverpool captain in 2023 following Jordan Henderson’s departure.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family,” said Van Dijk.
“I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.
“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible.
“The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.”
Van Dijk has been with the club since joining for £75m from Southampton in January 2018.
Since then, he has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and EFL Cup twice.
Under Liverpool manager and fellow Dutchman Arne Slot, who is in his first season in the role, Van Dijk has been key in helping the Reds close in on a record-equalling 20th English league title.
Van Dijk said in March that he had “no idea” if he would remain at Anfield.
But earlier this month, he said that there had been “progress” in negotiations with the club over a new contract.
With new deals confirmed for Salah and Van Dijk, the future of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold remains unresolved.
The England defender, who returned to Liverpool training on Wednesday after a month out because of injury, is out of contract in July and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Numbers made sense for Liverpool – analysis
First Mohamed Salah, now Virgil van Dijk.
It’s big news for the club and the Premier League that one of the division’s most iconic players is staying put.
For so long, there has been huge uncertainty over Van Dijk and Salah’s futures at Liverpool given their previous contracts were set to expire at the end of the season.
The perspective is far rosier now – though the future of fellow out-of-contract star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has held talks with Real Madrid, remains hugely uncertain.
In the end, the numbers made sense for Liverpool. Replacing Salah and Van Dijk like-for-like would probably cost towards £200m in transfer fees, let alone wages. Identifying those players would have been a risky task.
Both players are in their mid-30s, but neither has shown signs of slowing down, so keeping Salah and Van Dijk – on similar salaries to what they were on previously – appears the most economical decision, particularly when you look at their performances this season.
Van Dijk staying will lessen the necessity for Liverpool to sign a new central defender this summer, although strengthening in that area of the field will likely depend on how talks develop with Ibrahima Konate over a new deal.
The France international is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is yet to reach an agreement with Liverpool over an extension.
Among the centre-backs Liverpool have watched are Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
If an agreement with Konate isn’t reached, then Liverpool may have to make a decision over his future this summer in order to avoid the prospect of the central defender leaving on a free transfer in 2026.
‘An absolute bargain’
We asked for your views on Van Dijk’s contract extension. Here are some of your comments:
Andy: Hopefully another trophy-winning season. Virgil is an inspirational captain, a cool, calm defender who emits an aura of control that enables the rest of the team playing to fulfil their potentials. Two of our greatest players showing a loyalty that fans respect to a great club. Hopefully more successful seasons to follow in the near future. Thank you Virgil and Mo for staying with us.
Yusuf: We need him, he has been the best centre-back this club has seen since Ron Yeats. And particularly as this will be a big summer, hopefully with the new signings he can help their development and continue to help Quansah and Konate to develop. If we want to win the Premier League and Champions League he is the one person who will lead us to them.
Will: Absolutely over the moon with this new deal. The contract extensions of Salah and Van Dijk have provided the team with a degree of certainty for the upcoming season, and takes some of the pressure off the upcoming transfer window.
Graham: An absolute bargain and clever business, we’d have had to pay in excess of £100m to get a centre-back of his quality!
Dax: There was never really any doubt. Anyone who’s been out and about around Liverpool will know that VVD and his family belong in Liverpool just as much as Salah and his family. The culture at the club doesn’t just embrace you as a player but also embraces you as a human being and there is no more welcoming place than at an organisation like Liverpool Football Club to make you feel worthy. I’m sure at some point in the next few days VVD will say that it’s more than just a footballing decision.
Ryan: Brilliant news. Will soften the blow of losing Trent, and his leadership and his experience cannot be underestimated. He’s respected in the game by fans, fellow players, and he can hopefully help pave the way for Ibou and maybe another CB to pick up the amazing foundations he’s helped build. His dominance at the back is so assuring for the rest of the team – mistakes he makes are magnified because of the colossus that he is. He’s a true legend, a giant of a man and exactly what you want from a Liverpool captain. Great news!
Source: BBC Sports
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