Virgil van Dijk gives verdict on Liverpool's Arne Slot interest

Virgil van Dijk has admitted he could see Arne Slot as the next Liverpool manager as the Reds continue to negotiate a deal to hire the Feyenoord boss.

reported on Tuesday that Liverpool have set their sights on Klopp as Jurgen Klopp's successor and talks have since between opened with Feyenoord as the Reds look to strike a deal over compensation to bring Slot to Anfield.

Fellow Dutchman Van Dijk was asked for his thoughts on Slot after Liverpool's surprise 2-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday, and the centre-back happily gave his backing.

«I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment and I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has means he could be a Liverpool coach,» Van Dijk admitted.

«Well, I think what I also read and hear is that it is far from over and we'll see and next year we'll focus on that.»

With Feyenoord now braced for the potential departure of their manager, reports have claimed the Dutch side could actually reach out to Klopp's assistant Pep Lijnders over a first taste of management.

Lijnders will leave Liverpool alongside Klopp this summer and has already admitted he hopes to become a manager of his own for his next job.

Fellow Eredivisie giants Ajax have also been tipped to move for Lijnders but state that Feyenoord are considering reaching out as they want a Dutchman as their replacement for Slot.

Liverpool still have to agree a compensation fee for Slot and any backroom staff he wants to bring from Feyenoord as the 45-year-old's contract does not include a release clause.

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