Amid speculations suggesting a potential departure from Anfield at the end of the season, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk affirms his complete dedication and commitment to the club.
On Monday, the 32-year-old Netherlands defender expressed uncertainty about his involvement in the post-Jurgen Klopp era at the club.
Klopp revealed last week that he would conclude his nearly nine-year tenure with the Reds at the end of the season.
However, Van Dijk, who joined for £75m in January 2018, clarified that his earlier remarks were “taken out of context.”
Asked whether he saw himself being part of the next era, Van Dijk, whose current Liverpool contract is set to expire in summer 2025, said: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.”
However, he has made an effort to clarify those statements and, during an interview on the Men in Blazers podcast on Tuesday, emphasized, “To be 100% clear, I am fully committed to the club. I love the club. I love the fans. It is fully taken out of context.”
In addition to Klopp, Liverpool’s assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz will also be departing the Merseyside club. Furthermore, the contracts of forward Mohamed Salah and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are set to expire in 2025.
Despite these changes, Liverpool remains engaged on multiple fronts, striving to conclude Klopp’s tenure with success. The team currently leads the Premier League, has secured a spot in the Carabao Cup final, and is progressing in both the Europa League and FA Cup, aiming for silverware in each competition.
“It’s not about me, it’s not about I. It is about us and nothing has changed,” Van Dijk added.
“My full focus is on making sure this year can be very special. Obviously [it was a] big announcement over the last couple of days. It has been a shock to each one of us connected to the club.
“We want to achieve things that we dreamed of at the start of the season. Don’t get it twisted, I’m fully committed to the club – I love each and every second that I am the captain.”