Arne Slot accused of 'sending text message' to Virgil van Dijk to influence Liverpool U-turn

Arne Slot has been accused of directly influencing early return to in the middle of the international break.

The Red captain was during the Netherlands’ Nations League draw in Hungary on Friday after collecting two bookings in the space of three minutes. The red card ruled him out of the midweek clash with Germany through suspension, but Van Dijk was still expected to remain with the national team.

However, plans soon changed, with the 33-year-old and returning to England early ahead of Sunday’s Anfield showdown with . The decision saw the Netherlands captain come in for criticism in his homeland.

Explaining the decision, Van Dijk said: “I wanted to stay with the team to give the lads my support, but now I have decided it is better to go home. A lot has been said about the massive pile of matches we are playing in this period and all the travelling. This is a good moment to get some rest.

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“With all the matches we have coming, I fully understand that the club thinks it is a good moment to get some rest.”

Dutch title De Telegraaf have reported that may have directly influenced the change of plan, with suggestions the new Reds boss fired a text message to one of his key players straight after the Hungary game. It was also claimed that Van Dijk spoke of his initial plan to remain with the national team before his club intervened. Liverpool have been contacted for comment.

It looked like Van Dijk’s red card would be costly for Ronald Koeman’s side, who were 1-0 down at the time following Roland Sallai’s first-half volley. But Denzel Dumfries headed in ’s free-kick to equalise in the 83rd minute to earn a point.

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Van Dijk was annoyed with the nature of the red card, his first in 77 games for his country. The defender was shown the first yellow for dissent after approaching referee Lukas Fahndrich to complain after Donyell Malen was fouled. The second came for a more straightforward foul.

Van Dijk told ESPN: "[The red card] should not have happened. But I'm especially angry about the first. They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee. I walk up to him. Up tempo, but not in a nasty way, not at all. Very respectful.

“Because I felt it was a breakaway player, he did not go for the ball at all. If even the captain cannot say anything… then it gets difficult."

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