<p>Arne Slot was sacked as Liverpool manager after a disappointing campaign, in which the defending Premier League champions finished sixth and reached the UEFA Champions League by the skin of their teeth.</p><p>Captain Virgil van Dijk, who was the only Premier League player to not miss a minute during the 2025-26 season, told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he was surprised by the decision.</p><p><strong>"That came as a surprise. I spoke to Arne and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me. I know Liverpool will come out of this well," </strong>Van Dijk said after the Netherlands' 1-0 loss to Algeria.</p><p>Van Dijk was kept out of the loop from the club's decision-making, he said.</p><p><strong>"I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday, and the news had already been leaked. I then had discussions with the club, but the decision had already been made by then. It’s not as though they asked me for my opinion."</strong></p><p>Liverpool are expected to appoint former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as Slot's successor, with an announcement expected soon.</p>