Van Dijk was still bristling after their Champions League win at Marseille about a question put to Slot regarding sacked Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.
Slot was asked if Xabi had been in contact about "succeeding" him at Liverpool now that he had left Real Madrid. Slot was able to laugh off the question, but days later Van Dijk was still furious.
“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 Velodrome).
"I think criticism is part and parcel for us, that's what we live with and it's absolutely justified if you look at what we are doing in the season unfortunately for us, especially based on last season.
"I think we always work hard on things we can improve but we also don't forget that with all the changes in the summer, with different faces and style of players, different combinations you have to find training helps with that, matches even more.
"So it's been a very difficult part of the season for us players and the manager as well but in my opinion he handled it very well. At the end of the day we are in a results business and we all get judged – players, the manager and everyone involved with the results – and that is what we are working on to improve on a consistent basis."