30 January 2024 , 22:51
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Virgil van Dijk insists he's "100% committed to the club" after discussing a potential Liverpool exit.
The defender has been a stalwart of the Jurgen Klopp era after being signed by the German in January 2018. The Dutchman has gone on to claim Premier League and Champions League glory but the imminent departure of the manager has cast doubt over several of the club's leading lights.
Van Dijk only has 18 months left on his deal - as do Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold - with showdown talks set to take place sooner rather than later. The uncertainty about who will occupy the dugout has seen several players linked with moves away, but the Dutchman is solely focused on Liverpool.
He told Men In Blazers : “Let’s make it clear. I am 100% committed to the club, I love the fans. It is fully taken out if context. It’s not about me, it’s about us. Five days ago we weren’t even talking about my contract, so it’s a bit silly!”
The Reds defender felt the need to underline his commitment to the Reds after he admitted he was intrigued to see where the club would go, suggesting his future may rest on that decision. "That's a big question - I don't know," he said when asked if he would be part of the post-Klopp era.
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"The club will have a big job on their hands. That is well known. To replace the manager and replace not only the manager, the staff is leaving, and there are so many things that will change. So the club has a big job on its hands and I am very curious which direction that will go in. But when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can't say much about it."
The Dutchman remains a leading light at Anfield (Getty Images)Van Dijk has been the club's defensive leader ever since he arrived, having a host of partners that include Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate. His exit would leave a huge hole for whoever ends up replacing Klopp come the summer, but the team are determined to finish with a flourish.
"Obviously it will be the end of Jurgen Klopp's era," he added. "I am very glad that I am still part of it. That is why I don't like to speak about it. I am still part of it. That is my main focus and we will see at the end of the season. Hopefully, we have the success that we all dream of and fight for each day and, by then, there will probably be more clarification for what the club wants for the future and then we will see."