Fans on social media have been left shocked after find out incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot once played against Reds captain Virgil van Dijk.
Before embarking on his burgeoning career in the dugout Slot was an industrious midfielder with an eye for goal plying his trade in his native Netherlands.
After making his senior debut with FC Zwolle in 1995, Slot enjoyed spells with NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam before returning to his original club in 2009.
Now renamed PEC Zwolle, Slot would be part of the team that won promotion back to the Eredivisie in the 2011-12 season before bowing out with a farewell season in the Dutch top flight.
In February of 2013 Zwolle travelled to a promotion-chasing Groningen side that featured a fresh-faced 21-year-old Van Dijk in the centre of defence.
Fans have been left baffled by a photo of Virgil van Dijk playing against incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot
The pair clashed during Slot’s time at PEC Zwolle before he hung up his boots in 2013
The 21-year-old Van Dijk would depart Groningen at the end of the season to join Celtic
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With the game level at 0-0, Slot was introduced as a second-half substitute against Van Dijk’s side but was unable to stop the hosts netting a stoppage-time winner courtesy of Michael de Leeuw.
Having helped Zwolle secure safety, Slot called time on his playing career at the end of the season, while Van Dijk departed Groningen for Celtic that summer.
After an image of Slot and Van Dijk was circulated on social media, fans could not believe that their playing careers had overlapped with one another’s.
One fan wrote: ‘Wooooahhh that’s insane’
Another added: ‘Wait, this isn’t fake?’
A further user joked: ‘More hair versus no hair.’
After months of speculation, Slot confirmed he will be the next Liverpool manager in a press conference on Friday.
After hanging up his boots Slot shot to prominence for his work at Feyenoord, winning the Eredivisie at a canter in 2022-23 before adding the Dutch Cup this term, with his side set to finish second in the league to runaway leaders PSV.
Earlier this season the 45-year-old admitted his willingness to take the job if such an offer were extended to him.
Social media users expressed their astonishment that the two mens’ careers overlapped
‘The clubs are negotiating,’ he said last month.
‘I am waiting to see what will come out of it.
‘It is no secret that I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I am waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. I have every confidence in that.’
