Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has pushed his teammates to ensure Jurgen Klopp receives the “farewell he definitely deserves” this season.
Klopp confirmed his stunning decision to leave Anfield at the conclusion of the season after nine years, stating he no longer has the stamina to complete the job properly next season.
The announcement came less than 48 hours after the Reds secured their spot in next month’s Carabao Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, and Klopp will face his personal buddy David Wagner and his Norwich City team in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
The Premier League leaders have a five-point advantage at the summit, and with a last-16 Europa League fixture in March, Van Dijk said he and his teammates will ensure Klopp has the type of campaign that would be fitting for a manager who has won every top-level title available in the last five years.
In an interview with Liverpoolfc.com, Van Dijk became the first Reds player to publicly discuss his manager’s end-of-season leaving strategy, admitting it is a difficult idea to contemplate.
“It’s a hard one to take, because the manager means so much for us, to me, to the club, to the whole Premier League I think,” Van Dijk told the club’s website. “But he made a decision for himself and his family. It was always going to be a difficult decision, and it certainly was.
“I believe it will be a collective feeling, and as I previously stated, I have had no reason to believe otherwise. I believe Klopp’s choice should give you that extra lift, that particular sensation that let’s make the most out of it.
“I believe the sentiment was already [there], as I previously stated, since pre-season that we wanted to make things right from last year, and we must continue to do so.
“As a fan and supporter of the football team, it will feel the same way. You want to be there for yourself, the team, and the management. Let’s make the rest of the season extra spectacular so he may have the farewell he truly deserves.”
Van Dijk continued: “I think for me personally, as I already stated, my focus is to ensure that our aims and targets are not affected by the news.
“That is what the manager wants as well. We aim to maintain our current form, playing style, and confidence among our players.
That’s why we need to keep going. As I previously stated, that is also what the manager desires, and we must filter out the noise from the outside world, have tunnel vision, and focus on hopefully producing success in these months for the manager at the club.
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