Virgil van Dijk expressed that Jurgen Klopp’s choice to step down as Liverpool manager at the conclusion of the season is “difficult to accept.”
On Friday, Jurgen Klopp, the German manager, disclosed his decision to depart from his role in July.
While he had communicated this decision to the club back in November, the players were only informed shortly before the public announcement on Friday.
“The manager means so much for us, to me, to the club,” said Reds captain Van Dijk.
“But he made the decision for him and his family. It was always going to be a tough one and it was definitely the case.
“He told us in private of course and all of us were together. It’s a hard one to take but our mindset is to focus on business. We have a lot of targets still to achieve this year and why not finish the season on a high and together with celebrations for the boss as well?”
Van Dijk became a part of Liverpool during Klopp’s third season at the club, and together, they have secured six significant honors.
Despite Klopp’s imminent departure, Liverpool is still competing in four tournaments and recently secured a place in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea by overcoming Fulham on aggregate last Wednesday.
“We all want to achieve so much and that mindset was already there since pre-season and that doesn’t change,” Van Dijk, 32, added.
“It will maybe even give you an extra boost to do that extra or maybe enjoy it a little bit more together and make the last part of the season – the last bit of the manager’s time at the club – the best time he’s ever had.
“That’s what we strive for and that’s why it’s business as usual.”