Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on Arne Slot's sacking as Liverpool's head coach, paying tribute to the Dutchman on Instagram.
What happened?
The Liverpool captain reached out to Slot less than 24 hours after the news of his sacking broke, thanking him for their Premier League win.
The Reds secured Champions League football with a 1-1 draw against Brentford, but six days later, the Anfield hierarchy decided to axe the title-winning boss.
Why it matters for Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk's message was a show of appreciation for Slot's contribution to the team, and he wished him luck for the future.
The centre-back was the first Liverpool player to publicly acknowledge Slot's impact, writing: "We'll never forget winning the Premier League in our first season together."
What comes next?
Andoni Iraola has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Slot, with the Spaniard believed to possess an aggressive attacking approach that aligns with Liverpool's playing philosophy.
The Liverpool board paid homage to Slot in their joint statement, praising his work ethic and expertise.
Van Dijk's tribute to Slot was a classy move, and it shows the respect he has for his former coach.
The Dutchman's sacking was a surprise to many, given his success with the team, but the board felt that a change was necessary.
As the Reds look to the future, they will be hoping to find a new coach who can bring them similar success.
Van Dijk will be key to this, and his experience and leadership will be crucial in the coming season.
The 47-year-old Slot was shown the door just under a week after the season drew to a close, and his departure has sent shockwaves through the football world.
But for Van Dijk, the focus is on the future, and he will be working hard to ensure that the Reds are back to their best soon.
So, what can we expect from Liverpool in the coming season?
Only time will tell, but with Van Dijk at the helm, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
The Reds have a tough road ahead, but with the right coach and the right mindset, they can achieve great things.
And Van Dijk will be leading the charge, as he looks to bring more success to Anfield.