Virgil van Dijk says Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot’s footballing “philosophy” makes him an appropriate candidate to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Liverpool have had an opening bid for Slot rejected after making the...

Virgil van Dijk has added to the speculation that Arne Slot is set to take over from Jurgen Klopp, saying after the Everton match “that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

While Liverpool’s players prepared to face Everton on derby day, directors were negotiating with Feyenoord to secure Slot as Klopp’s successor.

After the match, Van Dijk was asked about his Dutch compatriot, Slot, and told Viaplay: “I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment.

“I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

• READ HERE: Liverpool could announce Arne Slot as new manager this week

The Liverpool captain admitted he didn’t know if a deal had yet been struck with Feyenoord, adding: “I think from what I read and hear is that it’s still far from being completed.

“We shall see. We will focus on that next season, [it is] still a long way off”

So, it sounds like Van Dijk has been kept in the loop by Liverpool to a point, before concentrating on the Merseyside Derby.

On Wednesday, the Athletic reported that the Reds had their first offer of £7.7 million rejected by Feyenoord.

It has been widely reported that it will take at least £8.5 million to release him from his contract, that has him remaining at Feyenoord for two more years.

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Since, the Mail‘s Merseyside reporters have claimed: “The situation is developing quickly and talks to bring Slot to Anfield could even be concluded before the weekend.”

Van Dijk’s form may have dropped off to some extent in recent weeks, but this season he has proven he still has plenty to give.

As captain, he will play a big role in getting the new manager’s messages across and can continue to play in a back four should Slot be appointed.

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Latest Premier League title race news following a major Liverpool setback with Michael Owen delivering a clear verdict on their chances of overtaking Manchester City and Arsenal

Latest Premier League title race news following a major Liverpool setback with Michael Owen delivering a clear verdict on their chances of overtaking Manchester City and Arsenal

How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Everton as the Reds effectively saw their Premier League title hopes ended

How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Everton as the Reds effectively saw their Premier League title hopes ended

Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk is criticised for a sly dig he made following his side's defeat to Everton which all but ended their title chances

Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk is criticised for a sly dig he made following his side's defeat to Everton which all but ended their title chances

After another poor display from Mo Salah, this time in the Reds’ 2-0 defeat to Everton, some Liverpool fans decided that this summer is the time to sell him.

Salah is undoubtedly a legend, one of the greatest to ever wear the Red shirt you could say. However, his form since returning from injury has been a worry.

With just one non-penalty goal in his last seven Premier League appearances but, more importantly, consistently poor performances, some fans think he should be sold in the summer.

It is important to remember that the No. 11 was having an excellent season before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations but, at nearly 32-years-old, Liverpool will be thinking about cashing in on Salah.

If a Saudi Arabian club were to offer big money, the club and new manager may think it best to take the offer and reinvest.

Here, supporters reacted to another poor showing from Salah…

Salah is 32 in June. Just sell him now, I love him and he’s been a superstar but he’s not that guy anymore. At his age, in the PL, it’s just now gonna get better.

I’d give Nunez another year. If he turns 30 odd GA into 40 odd that’s massive and he can.

— SAM G-W (@OneSGW) April 24, 2024

People wanting rid of salah and VVD. Take a breather ffs. Was only a couple of weeks ago, we were lauding VVD for being back to us best

And Mo is Mo. Without his output we would really struggle

— We Are Liverpool (@WeAreLiv3rpool) April 25, 2024

“The inverted full-back tactics isolate Salah a lot. He has no support from Trent or whoever plays right back. When Trent plays, 90 percent of the time he’s looking to play the diagonal ball to the left winger.

“Salah’s no where near as good as he was but him not being involved or touching the ball much is down the inverted full-back tactics, in my honest opinion.” – Michael Jones in the comments.

Slot, Edwards, and Hughes need to move on Salah and Nunez. I think Diaz stays. A live threat. He and Nunez can't coexist in the same team. Impossible. New 9 needed badly. Slot will also need a monster player for the 6 position. Can't keep wasting MacAllister.

— Steve McVeigh (@Boxingscience20) April 25, 2024

It’s time for players to go.

We played some of our best football before the injured group returned, we played some of our best football when Mohamed Salah was on international duty.

That’s not a negative to Salah or the injured group but, it’s time to move on and freshen up!

— ? (@LFCApproved) April 25, 2024

Liverpool are still feeding off the signings they made back in 2017, the level of pressure on Van Dijk to lead at the back and for Salah to bail you out with a goal is off the scale…now one of those isnt doing that the team essentially looks shot.

— Dylan Jones (@dylslam24) April 25, 2024

“Time to offload Salah and Nunez. The former has been brilliant, the latter just an absolute donkey.” – Call_Saul in the comments.

I’d only sell Salah simply because of the Contract situation that’s it.

Letting him walk for free in 2025 is just stupid.

— Matt (@LegendEskimoBoy) April 25, 2024

Afcon 2024, the end of Mo Salah as we knew him.

That injury and the disappointment of not winning it was a massive hit.

Can’t believe they host that tournament mid-season all the time, makes no sense.

— ?????? (@WilcoFtbl) April 25, 2024

Salah hits the ball like a 8 year old lad these days. Zero power. Dunno what’s going on

— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) April 24, 2024

“Salah was once a little monster physically, he used to hold off 6’5 centre backs for fun, now he barely challenges for the ball.” – dfhfdhgjm in the comments.

I fell sorry for Luis Diaz playing 3 positions because Nunez and Salah can’t be arsed. pic.twitter.com/El16ErXLa2

— Top Of The Kop (@TOTKHQ) April 24, 2024

Salah looked off it for weeks but saved his worst for tonight. So bad.

— Ian Ryan (@Ian1892T) April 24, 2024

“Salah has been a shadow of a player chasing his own shadow and having lost his confidence to the point he doesn’t attempt to dribble.” – Tim Tracey in the comments.

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Liverpool were abject in their 2-0 loss at Everton on Wednesday night, with a dreadful night dissected by two despondent Reds supporters.

Jurgen Klopp‘s men displayed the same wastefulness in front of goal and lack of intensity seen in recent weeks, on one of the worst days of the season.

Liverpool’s season has completely petered out after threatening so much and there is now a feeling that the end of the campaign can’t come soon enough.

Here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) discuss an awful night, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and more.

Just how bad was that for you? Is the title gone?

DAN: Dreadful and brutal just about does it justice I think.

It felt like a 90-odd-minute display of all the issues that have befallen us in recent weeks as the season has started to unravel all horrendously packed into one.

For me, the title has gone, not just because we’re relying on an unlikely miracle from our rivals, but also because I have major concerns over our ability to win the last four at this point.

HENRY: I couldn’t agree more. What a damp squib this has turned into!

I feel like I’ve seen that game about 20 times this season – slow start, sloppy losses of possession and needless fouls given away.

It was alarming just how little fight was on show – the life just looks to have been sucked out of both Jurgen and his players.

Really depressing and I’m looking forward to the summer now. The title has long gone.

Are there any individuals that you’ve lost faith in? Nunez, for example?

DAN: Lost faith might be a touch strong for me right now.

Although undoubtedly the question marks are growing in my mind with the likes of Nunez, in particular.

Whilst he clearly brings loads to the table, running as hot and as cold as he does feels a tad unsustainable unless those around are always available to pick up the slack, which hasn’t been the case.

HENRY: I’m going to be a bit more harsh than Dan!

I’ve lost patience and faith in Nunez – his finishing is nowhere near reliable enough to be Liverpool’s leading striker for years to come.

He’s 25 this year, so he’s not a kid!

I would consider getting rid of him this summer if the right offer came along – his all-round game is too messy and unpredictable.

Diaz is also too wasteful – in fairness he was the only shining light last night – and with Salah completely out of sorts, those two haven’t stepped up enough.

Is it time to sell Salah? Or is that reactionary?

DAN: I wouldn’t say it’s reactionary because overall his performances this season haven’t been spectacular to his previous standard, and for a long time, the output was covering over some below-par displays.

We are now seeing what happens when the goals and assists dry up and the performances remain poor.

In terms of his future, it would be naive not to think there will be huge discussions this summer given the fact he’s entering the final year of his contract and we all know about the strong interest from Saudi Arabia.

As with a few in the squad, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens next with an almost entirely new immediate hierarchy.

HENRY: I think Mo is just far from fully fit and short on confidence, and still has so much to offer in his career.

That being said, if a massive Saudi offer arrived, you would surely have to consider it, seeing as he turns 32 in the summer.

I can easily envisage Michael Edwards giving his exit the green light.

I would prefer him to stay and think he still has two or three years in him at a high level, but he is a shadow of himself currently.

As someone said last night, he’s started kicking the ball like an eight-year-old, which is harsh on eight-year-olds!

Finally, do you almost feel that Klopp is leaving at the right time?

DAN: Wow! I would never say Klopp is leaving at the right time because I never want him to go, but there can be no doubt that for himself it’s the right time and recent results are probably further evidence of that.

Seeing him almost crestfallen on the touchline at Goodison was horrible and he certainly has the look of a man who needs a long break from the intense pressure of the job.

Also, from a squad point of view, we’re in such a healthy place despite the question marks and there is definitely cause for optimism with what comes next.

Having said that, he has overseen darker times than this at the club and brought us out the other side, so if he was staying I’d back him to get it right without doubt.

HENRY: I’m with Dan – I don’t want him to go!

But as he says, it’s the right time to move on for Jurgen’s sake – those images of him sitting down at Goodison were hard to watch.

He has nothing left to give.

It’s now a case of just getting through these last four games, giving Jurgen the greatest send-off imaginable and then embarking on a new era.

Nobody can replace Klopp, but let’s get behind the next manager and hope he brings a freshness to proceedings.

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Liverpool suffered a damaging defeat in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, as Merseyside rivals Everton secured a 2-0 win at Goodison Park. The Reds remain in second in the table but are three points off Arsenal with four games to go.

Jürgen Klopp admits his side need Arsenal and Manchester City to suffer a crisis in the final weeks of the season to stand any chance of winning the title. Pep Guardiola's side has two games in hand, starting with the trip to Brentford on Thursday night.

Liverpool had hopes of an unprecedented quadruple but it has been a difficult month for the Reds, who now have just four matches remaining of the Klopp era. Next up is a trip to West Ham and the players must dust themselves down and end the season on a high.

READ MORE: Liverpool defensive issues broken down as seven players could do more to stop Everton opener

READ MORE: Gary Neville hits nail on head over Liverpool avoiding same problem as Man Utd and Arsenal

Off the pitch, Liverpool is working towards appointing Klopp's successor. Arne Slot has emerged as the new leading candidate to replace the German and BBC Sport reports talks are underway with his current club Feyenoord.

Here, Liverpool.com takes a scan around the Premier League and across the continent to see what's going on at Liverpool's rivals after the loss to the Toffees.

Man United plots 12 exits in mass overhaul?

Manchester United could part with as many as 12 first-team players this summer, according to The Mirror. New minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants a mass overhaul of the squad and will also look to bring in six fresh faces within the transfer window.

Ratcliffe has made his intentions clear that change is needed is needed this summer after scraping by Coventry City on penalties to reach the FA Cup final. United also looks set to miss out on the top four.

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Financial Fair Play (FFP) will limit spending, meaning player sales will be needed to fund any future incomings. Newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox will lead the review, which could see first-team stars such as Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof all leave.

Meanwhile, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Christian Eriksen, Antony and even home-grown talent Marcus Rashford could be sold. Sofyan Amrabat's loan deal will also not be renewed.

Liverpool.com says: While it seems dramatic, an overhaul is certainly needed at Old Trafford. United's season has been a disaster and major changes are needed. It remains to be seen if Erik ten Hag will remain in charge past this season. Improvements are needed to close the gap on Liverpool, Arsenal and City.

Newcastle leads race for Reds target?

Newcastle United is leading the race for Sporting Club de Portugal defender Ousmane Diomande, according to A Bola. Liverpool had previously been linked with the player (via Football Insider), although it is the Magpies reportedly currently in the driving seat to secure the deal.

The 20-year-old reportedly has a release clause of $85million (€80m/£68m) in his current contract, which Eddie Howe's side would look to negotiate. Diomande has not been as prominent in the Sporting CP side since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and that could now open the door to a transfer exit this summer.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all said to be keeping tabs on Diomande. He is contracted until 2027 and is one of the lowest earners at the club, with the Portuguese giants in no rush to sell him.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool had previously been linked with the player but that may well have been down to speculation that his manager Rúben Amorim could move to Anfield. At least one central defender will be needed this summer and Diomande would be a great addition, albeit an expensive one.

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Liverpool saw its Premier League title hopes take a hammer blow as it was beaten 2-0 by Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park. The Reds now sit three points behind Arsenal with four games to go, with the leaders having a far superior goal difference.

Jürgen Klopp's side did have chances but were again wasteful in front of goal and failed to deal with Everton's attacking threat from set-pieces as Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the net.

Speaking after the match, Klopp admitted that Liverpool needs Arsenal, and third-placed Manchester City, to suffer a crisis in the final weeks of the season to stand any chance of ending the campaign as champions.

READ MORE: Gary Neville hits nail on head over Liverpool avoiding same problem as Man Utd and Arsenal

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk offers verdict on Arne Slot becoming next Liverpool manager as 'talks underway'

Klopp told Sky Sports: "I can only apologize for today, to the people and everybody who is with us knows how hard it is for us as well. We should have done better but we didn’t and that is why we lost.

Liverpool returns to action against West Ham on Saturday lunchtime and Klopp will be after an improvement from his players. He will be particularly unimpressed with Everton's opener in the first half, with a number of his players not covering themselves in glory.

Free-kick given away

Liverpool struggled to handle Everton's intensity in the first 30 minutes at Goodison Park and continued to give free-kicks away inside its own half. Curtis Jones was culpable this time for a foul on Idrissa Gueye and Everton made the Reds pay.

Jamie Carragher was particularly critical of Liverpool's naivety on Sky Sports, saying: "Liverpool was giving silly, stupid fouls away. That is not using your brain.

"That gave Everton the opportunity to put the ball in the box and it is as good as anyone in the country at set-pieces. When you come to Goodison as a Liverpool player, there are two or three rules you always do. You don’t give silly fouls away and get the crowd up and you move the ball on quickly."

Van Dijk and Szoboszlai caught out by set-piece

Everton's tactic was clear throughout Wednesday's derby as it put a 'blocker' on Virgil van Dijk, stopping the Liverpool captain from winning the ball in the air. Ben Godfrey was often the man given the task and pulled it off again for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's second goal.

This time, Van Dijk was given a slight nudge from James Tarkowski as he mistimed his jump, allowing Jarrad Branthwaite to make initial contact with the free-kick and head towards goal. Branthwaite was also easily able to get in front of Dominik Szoboszlai, who didn't do anywhere near enough to stop his run.

Carragher added: "Everton did a job on Van Dijk, saying 'if we block him, we are going to get some joy against the other players'. Everton kept it alive but it had been coming. You have to got to win your headers on set-pieces. Everton looked like scoring off every set piece and Liverpool wasn't aggressive enough in dealing with it."

Liverpool's players failed to deal with the initial ball into the box (Image: SkySportsPL)

Alexander-Arnold misses header

Trent Alexander-Arnold remains one of the most impressive passers of the ball in Europe. He showed his undoubted talents again at Goodison Park but didn't do enough defensively to stop the Everton opener.

The Liverpool full-back attempted to clear the ball on the edge of the box but completely mistimed his jump, seemingly awaiting contact from Vitaliy Mykolenko. It never came as Everton pumped the ball back in to keep the attack alive.

Konaté and Mac Allister make a hash of clearance

It was a comedy of errors after that as Jack Harrison teed up Ben Godfrey before his initial attempt was blocked. The ball the rebounded back off Jones towards Mac Allister, who lined up to clear his lines.

But under no pressure at all, Konaté stuck his left leg out and directed the ball into the path of Branthwaite. Ex-Reds defender Carragher was not impressed with the Frenchman's role in the goal, although it appeared there was no communication from Mac Allister.

He added: "What is he doing? He doesn't know where he is and sticks a leg out at it. He has been so poor of late. Liverpool needs to buy a centre-back in the summer."

Alisson can't keep out effort

The Liverpool goalkeeper will certainly not be blamed for the Everton opener but he may look back and think he could have done more. Branthwaite had the goal gaping but fired his shot straight at Alisson.

The Brazilian did manage to make good contact with the save but was diving across to his right, and the ball squirmed underneath him. Calvert-Lewin made sure but replays showed the ball had crossed the line.

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Arne Slot is now the leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp and become the next Liverpool manager

Arne Slot is now the leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp and become the next Liverpool manager

Gary Neville has tipped Liverpool to avoid making the same mistakes as Manchester United and Arsenal with its next manager appointment. The Premier League rivals both suffered slumps after the departures of stalwarts Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

Liverpool faces a similar situation this summer with Jürgen Klopp bringing the curtain down on his Anfield tenure. But Neville believes the Reds are in a better position to that of his former club and Arsenal, when they made huge managerial changes.

Xabi Alonso was the early favorite for the job but opted to remain with Bayer Leverkusen, before Sporting CP's Rúben Amorim appeared to be next in line. But Arne Slot is the new clear frontrunner and the Daily Mail reports talks are progressing between Liverpool and Feyenoord.

READ MORE: How Liverpool could line up under Arne Slot with two transfer needs emerging

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk offers verdict on Arne Slot becoming next Liverpool manager as 'talks underway'

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville commented on the Reds' search for a new boss, after Slot emerged as a leading candidate. Neville said: "He's a successful coach in Holland and I love Dutch coaches. Across history, they have some of the greatest coaches the game has ever produced.

"We don't know how it's going to go but the reality is we've seen the post Wenger at Arsenal has been difficult and the post Sir Alex Ferguson career at Manchester United has been difficult. Klopp is massive in Liverpool. They've got to try and get it right.

"What United and Arsenal had when they replaced those managers was quite a traditional, old-school approach where the manager ran the club. They didn't have the sporting director and recruitment. Liverpool have a better set-up, more depth and more modern structure. There is still an element of risk but it has to happen."

David Moyes and Unai Emery struggled at United and Arsenal respectively after replacing iconic managers. The pair have since proven themselves in the Premier League and elsewhere. Neville admits a different approach will be inevitable at Anfield.

He added: "Obviously there's a change going to Liverpool. Very different approach than Jürgen Klopp. I don't think they could ever appoint a manager that has the personality and character of Klopp. It's driven by Michael Edwards, he's got his way and now he's bringing in someone who he thinks going to take Liverpool forward."

Liverpool.com says: Neville is correct in his thinking. Liverpool put the the correct structure in place before it focused on the managerial hunt. With Edwards rejoining FSG and Richard Hughes appointed as sporting director, Liverpool has elite footballing brains making key decisions. They will hope to get this one right.

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher watched on as the Reds lost 2-0 to Everton to put a severe dent in their Premier League title hopes

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher watched on as the Reds lost 2-0 to Everton to put a severe dent in their Premier League title hopes

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp apologised to fans for the Merseyside derby defeat at Everton which has left his side needing a “crisis” to affect Arsenal and Manchester City in order to salvage their almost-impossible title hopes.

The German’s last visit to Goodison Park ended in his first defeat there, having previously won two and drawn five, after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin left their chances of overhauling both their rivals in tatters.

They trail Arsenal by three points and have a vastly-inferior goal difference and while City are a point behind Liverpool they have two matches in hand.

“I can only apologise for today to the people. It is very disappointing. We played the game Everton wanted and they scored two goals from set-pieces. We should have done better but we didn’t,” said Klopp.

“No good thoughts at all. Very disappointed and frustrated. It was not good enough.

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“It was not the most inspired performance of all time, I really feel for the people. We never lost here (it was Everton’s first Goodison derby win in almost 14 years) and it feels really different. I really apologise for that.

“I can’t say now that we are still fully in it; we need a crisis at Man City and Arsenal and need to win football games because if they start losing all their games and we do what we did tonight nothing changes.

“We are not safe in the Champions League as well so we should just play better football.

“It is not a problem of attitude or what the boys want. No one is doing that on purpose.

“It is my job to bring them into a situation where they feel confident to do that. That part I am responsible and I am responsible for what happened tonight.

“It is not that I feel great, that is the most tricky part of football obviously. In the moment it didn’t work out and we have to keep trying.”

Victory for Everton lifted them eight clear of 18th-placed Luton, whom they still have to play, and almost certainly secured them top-flight survival.

“Pleased obviously, delighted with the performance against a top side, delighted for the Evertonians and the old-school Toffees,” said manager Sean Dyche.

“They were terrific. Terrific on Sunday. I am pleased for the club, only the second win in 30 (derbies) I am told.

“I think the game was won in the tactical delivery of the team. The performance and level of the performance was top notch. I want to play beautiful football but I want to play winning football first.

“This is not as satisfying as the final game of last season (when they escaped relegation with a win over Bournemouth) but it is satisfying to give something back. It is a different kind of satisfaction, believe me.”

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Liverpool's hopes of winning the Premier League have taken a massive dent following defeat to Everton in the Merseyside Derby

Liverpool's hopes of winning the Premier League have taken a massive dent following defeat to Everton in the Merseyside Derby