Liverpool’s towering Dutch defender has expressed his sorrow as Jurgen Klopp, one of the club’s most iconic managers, prepares to bid farewell to Anfield after an extraordinary nine-year tenure. The announcement of Klopp’s departure has reverberated throughout the footballing world, catching many off guard. Citing the necessity for a hiatus from the game, Klopp’s decision signifies the conclusion of a distinguished era marked by tangible success in the form of trophies and unwavering dedication.
Van Dijk, a linchpin of Klopp’s Liverpool squad since his transfer from Southampton in 2018, revealed his ongoing struggle to accept the imminent departure of his manager.
“Very difficult,” he shared with ITV News. “I’m a very emotional person, and I don’t like to say goodbyes. Being the captain now, it’s gonna be horrible in the sense you probably have to speak a little bit. And like I say that day I’ll be dreading.”
“It makes it a lot easier if we have success. So that’s the aim at the moment. But it’s difficult and it’s not only the boss who is leaving, it’s going to be a lot of changes and more staff leaving, but it will be a tough day. Until that day, we’ll fight and be positive and put all of our focus and effort into that and make the season successful.”
Reflecting on Klopp’s impact, Van Dijk praised the German manager as a “monumental figure” who has left an indelible mark on Liverpool.
“It’s pretty clear that he’s been a monumental figure for the club for so many years,” he acknowledged.
“If you think about Liverpool you think about Jurgen Klopp, so he’s been very important for the fans who are very important, getting me to the football club and telling me I’m a very important piece of the puzzle. He deserves all the applause that he will get.”
With just a year left on his contract, uncertainty surrounds Van Dijk’s future at Liverpool. When asked about his potential involvement in a new era post-Klopp, he remained non-committal, stating, “That’s a big question. I don’t know.”
Klopp is determined to depart on a high note, targeting a potential treble with Liverpool. Having already clinched the Carabao Cup in February, Liverpool currently lead the Premier League table with nine games remaining and remain contenders for Europa League glory.
“I think we are already so much motivated to make this season a success,” Van Dijk emphasized.
“We know at the end of the season will be emotional. But we can make it emotional in a good way by winning trophies. That’s what we want to do for ourselves. We want to do it for the boss. We want to do it for the football club around the world. The fans around the world I mean yeah, we all work so hard each and every day. Eventually, to win silverware, that’s what we’re gonna try and do.”
Liverpool will resume action against Sheffield United on Thursday, followed by a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on April 7 in a highly anticipated encounter.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk
NetherlandsThis season he played in total 27 times for 2368 minutes for Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk scored 2 goals for Liverpool. He procured two assists. He received 2 yellow cards and 1 red card.
His team is currently 1st in Premier League. In the last match Liverpool won 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion. The next match in Premier League will be against Sheffield United.
Liverpool performance and stats
Liverpool
Liverpool is currently 1st in the Premier League with 67 points.
In the last 29 games, it has won 20 times, drawn 7 times, and lost twice. In its last match, Liverpool won 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 67 goals and conceding 27.
Liverpool will play the next match in Premier League against Sheffield United on Thursday 4th of April in Liverpool. The prediction is Liverpool winning the match.
