Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has firmly dismissed suggestions that time off granted by manager Arne Slot is to blame for the Reds' disappointing Premier League campaign, following their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

The loss at Old Trafford—Liverpool's 11th of the season—saw the hosts storm into a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes, sparking criticism over the team's preparation. With the Premier League champions now out of the FA Cup and Champions League since April, their schedule has eased to just one game per week. Slot has taken advantage of this by giving players downtime at the start of matchweeks, a move that has seen several squad members enjoy short getaways with family before regrouping at the AXA Training Centre.

But Van Dijk pushed back on the notion that these breaks amount to a "holiday," insisting the players are professional enough to handle their responsibilities. "It's a city trip. It was only one day away," he explained. "If you have one day off, and you don't have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult."

The Dutch defender pointed to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as an example, noting that he has given his players three days off in recent weeks—and they've been performing well. "It is finding the right balance," Van Dijk added. "I can understand if people think we are not training and, when results are not there, it could be a reason. But I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways."

For fans and pundits questioning the team's intensity, Van Dijk's message is clear: don't mistake a day's rest for a lack of commitment. As Liverpool prepare for an early kick-off against Chelsea on Saturday, the captain remains confident that his teammates are putting in the work—both on and off the pitch.