Arne Slot has refuted any suggestions that Liverpool’s season could be considered a disappointment, having joined Virgil van Dijk in hitting back at Michael Owen.

The Reds are closing in on the Premier League title, with a maximum of just 13 points now needed to be crowned champions after Wednesday’s derby win over Everton.

Following the victory in the Merseyside derby, Owen suggested that defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle in the Champions League and Carabao Cup would still leave a “bitter taste” at the end of the season, with the Reds having been denied a potential treble.

Van Dijk immediately snapped back at the former Liverpool star, insisting he needed to “change that narrative”, and now Slot has come out in defense of his captain.

Virgil van Dijk snaps straight back at Michael Owen over 'bitter' Liverpool theory	Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk hits back at Michael Owen as Arne Slot gives injury update	Liverpool boss Arne Slot hits back at Michael Owen comments which 'frustrated' Virgil van Dijk as he insists 'only' winning the Premier League would be a special season

“Let me understand it right, Virgil was a bit frustrated because it came across as it’s not enough to ONLY win the Premier League?” Slot said.

Michael Owen has suggested Liverpool's title win will be diminished after defeats in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

If [Manchester] City ONLY won the Premier League then I could understand people saying: ‘It’s not a good season for City’.

“But if, at this club, you can compete for it and let alone win it, then it is a strange question to ask in my opinion

“I think the league is better than it ever was, that is what people are always saying

That’s what I hear a lot because the strength overall is getting better.

“I think even Pep said there will not be a team again as long as he lives that gets more than 100 points and wins the league four times in a row because so many more teams are having so many more good players.

“I think he even said what I have said the whole year, that all clubs, even some who are fighting against relegation, have some players who can play for City, for Arsenal, for us, for Chelsea and for these type of teams.

“The reason why teams you might expect to have more points don’t have them is because the league has become stronger
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