Virgil van Dijk has made it clear that Liverpool boss Arne Slot won’t have a honeymoon period as he settles into his new role.

Despite leading Liverpool to an impressive 1-0 victory over AC Milan in their Champions League opener, Slot’s start has been anything but smooth.

This win followed a disappointing home defeat to Nottingham Forest, highlighting the unpredictability of Liverpool’s recent form.

Van Dijk described the loss to Forest as a “reality check” and stressed that maintaining high standards is crucial for success. He warned that if Liverpool’s performance levels drop again, Slot will face significant pressure.

“In football, you need to perform both today and tomorrow,” Van Dijk told reporters. “If you don’t, the pressure from outside will build up. We need to stay calm. It’s up to me, the manager, and the players to deliver on the pitch. Losing at home to Forest was a shock and a wake-up call for us. Milan was a great reaction, but now we need to focus on recovering and preparing for our next match.”

Liverpool will face Bournemouth on Saturday, a key fixture for Slot as he tries to follow in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps.

Despite a strong performance in Milan, Van Dijk reflected on the Forest game, admitting it may have seemed like Liverpool had “no plan” during that match.

“We showed the reaction we needed in Milan,” Van Dijk said. “It’s important to remember that criticisms from the outside are just noise. Our focus must be on what happens on the pitch. If we play with a clear plan, unlike how we looked at times against Forest, we’ll perform better.”

Van Dijk, who scored against Milan along with central defensive partner Ibrahima Konaté, emphasized the importance of set pieces this season. He also praised Cody Gakpo, who made an impact in Milan with his first start of the season.

“Gakpo has had some excellent performances in the past, and we shouldn’t overlook that,” Van Dijk said. “We know what he’s capable of. With only one game a week, players need to be patient and at their best. Set pieces are crucial for us. Even though it sometimes looks easier than it is, me and Ibou are both tall and should convert more of those chances. It’s a matter of fighting for every ball. Our goals in Milan showed how vital set pieces can be for us.”

Van Dijk’s remarks underscore the urgency for Liverpool to maintain consistency and adapt quickly to Slot’s management style. As the season progresses, the team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks will be crucial in meeting their ambitions.

Marcus Rashford looked revitalized as he scored twice in Manchester United‘s 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford, propelling the Red Devils into the Carabao Cup fourth round and handing Erik ten Hag his most significant win as manager.

Rashford, leading the attack for United, had ended his six-month goal drought with a strike in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.

Ten Hag’s decision to keep faith in him paid off, as the 26-year-old confidently added United’s fifth goal with a first-time finish.

“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score,” Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports after the match.

Rashford nearly secured a hat-trick but unselfishly allowed teammate Antony to take a penalty. Antony, who hadn’t scored since April, converted the spot-kick past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina, further boosting United’s lead.

Alejandro Garnacho, who had been left on the bench during the Southampton match, also netted twice. He first scored from close range in first-half stoppage time and then made it 4-0 on the break with a composed finish after Christian Eriksen sliced through Barnsley’s fragile defense.

Eriksen himself joined the scoresheet with two late goals, just four minutes apart. He turned in a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes before curling a shot into the bottom corner for the seventh. Notably, it was his first club goal in over a year.

With this commanding victory, United now await their next Carabao Cup opponents in Wednesday’s fourth-round draw. The team will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rashford’s future at United appeared bleak last season, with many suggesting a move away might be his only option for reviving his career.

However, Ten Hag’s persistence in backing his forward has started to pay off. Just five games into the new season, Rashford is already close to halfway to his total tally of eight goals from the previous campaign.

While these three goals have come against lesser opponents like Southampton and Barnsley, Rashford’s renewed confidence is reminiscent of his first season under Ten Hag, where he scored 30 goals.

Commenting on Rashford’s resurgence, Ten Hag said, “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood. When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score.”

Although tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with Saturday’s visit to Selhurst Park, the early signs are promising for Rashford as he works to return to his best form.

After the game, Rashford remained grounded but expressed hope that his performance could help reignite the form that made him crucial for Ten Hag early in his United tenure.

“Football is football; sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs,” he told Sky Sports. “You have to use these games to build momentum, find consistency, and try your best to bring your top level in every match.”

He continued, “It’s early to say [if the goals will continue], but I hope so. We’ll focus on the next match, rest, recover, and keep pushing forward. As a front unit and midfield, I thought we did really well today.”

Rashford’s resurgence has given United a much-needed boost, with the upcoming fixtures set to test if he is truly back to his best.

Alan Shearer has pinpointed the key reason why Mikel Arteta is currently regarded on a higher level than Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag, despite having only an FA Cup to his name.

According to Shearer, Arsenal can push Manchester City in the league that sets Arteta apart.

While Ten Hag has secured both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup compared to Arteta’s single FA Cup win, the former Newcastle striker believes that Arteta has already demonstrated his value at Arsenal.

With the Gunners facing Manchester City on Sunday and expected to be the champions’ closest rivals this season, United may find themselves battling for a top-four finish once again.

Shearer, speaking to Betfair, explained: “I understand that Arteta has only won one FA Cup during his time there, but there’s no doubt about the progress within the football club.

They’re improving all the time. Compared to Erik ten Hag and Manchester United, we’d be talking about the pressure Arteta would be under if Arsenal were finishing eighth or ninth, like Man Utd did last season, even though they won the FA Cup.”

He added, “These teams have to get into the Champions League every season, and they must challenge at the top like Manchester City.

City have won the last four titles and are aiming for a fifth, which is incredible. Manchester United, however, have been nowhere near challenging City in terms of league standings. That’s the big difference and why Arteta is seen as a success at Arsenal compared to Ten Hag at United.”

Arteta recently signed a new contract, just 72 hours before clinching victory in the North London Derby.

Reflecting on this, Shearer said, “On the eve of the [Tottenham] game, Arteta signed a new contract, and his tenure at Arsenal can be considered successful because they’ve improved and are still on an upward trajectory. They’re working hard to keep pace with Manchester City’s dominance.”

He continued, “Liverpool managed to win the title a few years ago, but we’re dealing with a genius in Pep Guardiola and the financial power behind Manchester City. When you put it all together, they’re almost impossible to overcome. That’s the challenge facing Liverpool, Arsenal, or any team hoping to get close to City. It’s a very, very difficult task.”