Van Dijk concedes criticism is 'part and parcel' of game but question about future of Slot was 'very disrespectful'

VIRGIL VAN DIJK has hit out at a "disrespectful" question for Arne Slot that saw Liverpool boss asked if Xabi Alonso had contacted him over taking his job at Anfield.

- By PAUL GORST

And the Reds captain insists the entire squad remain behind their head coach after a 3-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League left them well placed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Slot, whose side are now unbeaten in 13 games dating back to the end of November, was asked in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday in France if Alonso, who was relieved of his duties at Real Madrid earlier this month, had spoken to him about succeeding him in the Anfield hotseat.

The Reds boss laughed it off, insisting it was "one of the weirdest" he had ever fielded in his career and while Liverpool later chose not to place an official ban on the specific reporter, it is understood there were plans not to answer any further lines of questioning from that particular journalist had they been asked in the post-match press conference.

"I think that was very disrespectful," Van Dijk said, after the win.

"Criticism is part of the game, we all know that, but I think it is also a reason why he (the journalist)] is not here [at the game].