Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed claims he could leave the club at the end of the season and has reinforced the fact he is ‘fully committed’ to the project at Anfield.
Van Dijk, who has 18 months left on his deal with Liverpool, originally refused to commit his long-term future to the club when asked how he felt following Jurgen Klopp‘s shock announcement last week.
The Liverpool manager stunned the footballing world on Friday afternoon when he announced he will be leaving Anfield in May after nine seasons, despite having two years left on his deal.
Klopp will be followed out the door by assistants Pep Lijnders, Vitor Matos and Peter Krawietz, while sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will also depart Liverpool after this current transfer window – leaving the club with a lot of job vacancies to fill before the summer.
Van Dijk’s comments following the news worried fans and made them feel as though life without Klopp could me a lot more tumultuous than anticipated. However, the Dutchman has since clarified his point – saying his words were ‘taken out of context’.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed claims he could leave the club at the end of the season and has reinforced the fact he is ‘fully committed’ to the project at Anfield
Van Dijk, who has 18 months left on his deal with Liverpool, refused to commit his long-term future to the club when asked how he felt following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement last week
The Liverpool manager stunned the footballing world on Friday afternoon when he announced he will be leaving Anfield in May after nine seasons, despite having two years left on his deal
Speaking on the YouTube channel, Men in Blazers, Van Dijk said: ‘It’s been taken out of context. To be 100 per cent clear, I am fully committed to the club.
‘I love the club. I love the fans. [That comment] has fully been taken out of context. It’s not about me. It’s not about ‘I’, it’s about ‘us’. Nothing has changed.
‘Five days ago we weren’t even speaking about my contract so it’s a bit silly. My full focus is on making sure this year is a very special year.
‘It was obviously a big announcement the last couple of days, it’s been a big shock to each one of us connected to the club.
‘I have been feeling exactly what the fans have been feeling in that exact moment [finding out the news]. But, we mean business here.
‘We want to crack on, we want to achieve the things that we dreamed of at the start of the season. We are in a good position so lets give it our all.
‘But, like I said, don’t get it twisted. I am fully committed to the club and I love it. I love each and every day at Liverpool.’
He finished by saying: ‘I am the [Liverpool] captain and we are going to go for it all. We will see how that goes.’
Van Dijk’s comments following the news worried fans and made them feel as though life without Klopp could me a lot more tumultuous than anticipated. However, he has clarified
Van Dijk, who was installed as Liverpool captain at the beginning of the season, was forced to clarify what he meant after he previously admitted the seismic change in management at the club ahead demands consideration.
‘To replace not only the manager but the whole staff, there are so many things that will change.’ The 32-year-old said. ‘I’m very curious which direction that will go in but when that will be announced we will see our situation.’
However, Klopp was not concerned by Van Dijk’s comments. Asked if the squad could break relatively quickly after the Dutch international refused to commit to the club, the manager said: ‘No, I don’t think so. It is completely normal.
‘It was always clear the outside world would not give you a second to process it (the news that Klopp is leaving).
‘A week ago when no one knew about my decision, nobody asked (about contracts) Give the boys a break! We need to create a perspective about what’s happening next, that’s normal.
‘Nobody has to worry. I knew that this would happen. You (the media) can’t wait for these kinds of questions. Virg didn’t go out and say, “By the way, I wanna say…”.
Klopp was not concerned by Van Dijk’s original comments and told fans to ‘stay calm’
‘Write what you want, this club is stable. 100 per cent. Everything will be fine, I am 100 per cent sure. The rest, we have to get through this, we have to get through your questions and give some answers. For our people, I would recommend… stay calm.
‘Very often the fans’ concerns are not as big as the media might think.
‘You underestimate the IQ of our supporters. It’s completely normal. There’s nothing to worry about at this moment in time. All these (contract talks) could be possible in all seasons.’
The German added: ‘The only annoying part is you (the media). “Why do they do that, why don’t they do that?”. It’s all fine, don’t worry. The boys love this place. I know that for a fact. When what will happen, we will see.’
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