Virgil van Dijk’s latest admission could end up saving Liverpool’s new-look management team millions of pounds. Fellow Dutchman Arne Slot is expected to take over at Anfield, with the end of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as Liverpool boss just two games away.
It’s set to be a summer of change in Merseyside, with Klopp’s nine years as Liverpool boss coming to an end. There may end up being even more outgoings, with rumours about the futures of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Van Dijk having surfaced in recent weeks.
But incoming boss Slot may have already hit the jackpot, with captain Van Dijk pledging to play a part in the post-Klopp rebuild. Speaking after Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the defender said: “The focus is now on the last two games and then the club will focus on who the new manager is and there will be a big transition and I am part of that.
“There is nothing for me to discuss because there is no news, I think the club is very much busy with who is going to be the new manager and that is the main focus. Like I said I am very happy here, I love the club and you can see that as well. It’s a big part of my life already, and that is all I can say.”
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Speculation about the ex-Southampton and Celtic man’s future had been brewing, with Van Dijk boasting just one year left on his contract. And while discussions about a new deal haven’t yet progressed, Van Dijk insists he’s ‘excited’ for what’s to come after Klopp departs.
On Liverpool’s future post-Klopp, Van Dijk said: “We know other things are decided and Michael Edwards is coming back, Richard Hughes will be the sporting director, they are the only decisions that have been made.
“Other than that we will just wait and see but I have got full trust in the club to make that right decision [on the manager]. There will be a lot of changes happening and I wouldn’t say scary is the right word but it is quite interesting and exciting what will happen now. So let’s see.”
The 32-year-old has been an ever-present for Liverpool this season, featuring in 34 of their 36 matches so far. And while the six-time European champions will be forced into the centre-back market to replace Joel Matip, at least Slot – or whoever takes over – won’t be tasked with finding Van Dijk’s successor as well.
