Liverpool coach Arne Slott questioned over Xabi Alonso-Van Dijk’s ‘disrespect’

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said Arne Slott’s question about rumors linking Xabi Alonso to his job as Liverpool manager was “disrespectful”.

On Tuesday, a journalist asked Slott whether former Liverpool player Alonso – who left his position as Real Madrid coach earlier this month “by mutual consent” – had been in contact.

Slott made fun of what he called “one of the strangest questions” by joking that the Spaniard had called him to say he would “take charge in six months, or maybe sooner.”

The question came on the eve of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League.

Liverpool did not ask the journalist who asked Alonso’s question to be banned, but Van Dijk was keen to summon him after the match.

“This (question) was disrespectful,” the Dutch defender said.

“The criticism is justified if you look at what we do in the season, especially based on last season.

“It was a difficult part of the season for us as players and for the coach as well, but he handled it well.”

Liverpool produced one of their “most complete performances” this season to beat Marseille according to Van Dijk, who became the 50th player to reach 350 appearances for the club.

The 34-year-old said: “Playing my 350th match, winning 3-0 and keeping a clean sheet, this is something I am proud of.”

The Reds are in a strong position to finish in the top eight in the league stage and advance directly to the round of 16 in March, thus avoiding the knockout round in February.

They host Qarabag on Wednesday, January 28, knowing that a win will guarantee them a place in the top four and a draw at home in the second leg of their round of 16, and if they get that far, they will qualify for the quarter-finals.

But Van Dijk’s attention has already turned to Saturday’s league match against Bournemouth.

Liverpool have not lost in 13 matches since their 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on November 26.

But they have won only four of their 10 Premier League matches, and drawn the last four, to finish fourth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.

The team is seven points behind third-placed Aston Villa, while five teams below it are three points behind, as the race to qualify for the Champions League heats up.