Although they are friends at Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be competing against each other at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
It would take a miracle for Pierre Gasly or Esteban Ocon—who started the day in tenth and eleventh place on the grid, respectively—to make it onto the podium by the end of the day, but Alexander-Arnold is there as an investor in the Formula One team Alpine.
Alexander-Arnold is Alpine F1’s investor.
Additionally, Van Dijk, his friend from Liverpool, was in the city to cheer on his compatriot and current world champion, Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull athlete, though, sits sixth on the grid after struggling in Monte Carlo this year.
Still, before qualifying started, Van Dijk and Verstappen had a drink together in the paddock.
But on Sunday, the Reds captain was spotted having fun with Lando Norris, the opposition.The McLaren driver placed fourth in qualifying on Saturday, and supporters are already mocking the Dutchman for switching teams—a conduct that is frowned upon in all sports.
A supporter commented, “Guy came with Max but has already jumped ship.”
The statement from the second was, “Lando steаling all Max’s homies.”
A third speculated that “he’s spying for Max.””
3Van Dijk arrived with Verstappen at the Monaco GPCredit: Getty
However, it seemed as though he switched sides on Sunday, teaming up with Norris Verstappen. With five victories so far this season, Verstappen leads the 2024 standings with 161 points, 48 points above of second-place Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Though he finished ahead of him in qualifying, Norris, who is now 60 points behind the Red Bull star, will be hoping to make up some lost ground and take the podium.
Van Dijk’s dicing between the two racing rivals makes it seem as though the fans might not be very pleased if the Liverpool player unexpectedly stopped by Manchester City’s dressing room for a brief hello.
Even so, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most renowned events of the year, and Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot, two Manchester United players, were present shortly after the team’s FA Cup victory.
He was in the paddock with his best friend, Ben Chilwell, who may be Chelsea’s vice-captain but still harbors deep affection for his old teammate, who moved from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford last summer.
As Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, comrades from Liverpool, face off against one another while opposing clubs unite, it demonstrates how allegiances can work both ways..