Van Dijk unsure on Liverpool future with Klopp exit imminent

Liverpool spent a then world record £75 million for a defender to bring Van Dijk to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018, but the Dutchman quickly became an integral figure at Anfield.

The Dutchman played a pivotal role as Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019, before starring again the following season as the Reds ended their wait for a Premier League title.

Van Dijk took over as captain this season after Jordan Henderson’s departure to Saudi Arabia but he admitted he’s not sure whether he wants to continue with the team after Klopp’s exit.

The Reds remain in contention for a domestic treble as they sit top of the Premier League, meet Chelsea in the League Cup final in February, and face Watford or Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round. They are also through to the Europa League knockouts.

The German promised to take time out before returning to managerial life, with coaches Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Vitor Matos, and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke also heading for the exit door.

Van Dijk is out of contract in 2025 alongside Mohammed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the Netherlands captain was asked whether he’s made a decision yet as Liverpool prepare take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday.

“That’s a big question. I don’t know,” Van Dijk said. “I don’t know. The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known.

“To replace not only the manager but the whole staff, there are so many things that will change. I’m 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. It will be the end of Klopp’s era and I am still part of it.

“That’s why I don’t like to talk about it. That is my main focus. We will see at the end of the season, hopefully we will have the success we all dream of and by then probably there will be more clarification about what the club wants for the future and then we will see.”

But despite the coming upheaval, Liverpool showed it was business as usual against Norwich, dispatching the Championship side at an emotional Anfield with Van Dijk featuring off the bench.

“Nothing has really changed,” he added. “Obviously things will change at the end of the season and in the new season but at the moment it doesn’t and we have to keep doing the same things.

“It’s easier said than done but I sense the rest of the boys think like that as well and it is the job for me to ensure we keep it that way. Today was a good day. The manager said it in his press conference: ask everything there and then we go back to focusing on what we want to achieve.

“That’s how I see it as well. We can speak about the situation about what will happen next year every week but it doesn’t change. It’s noise we don’t need and that’s why we focus on getting the job done and that’s why I feel nothing has changed.

“It is still the same but at the end of the season there will be different things happening of course but that is for the club to sort out.”

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