The captain of Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, expressed uncertainty about his involvement in the period following Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at the club.
In a surprising turn of events, Klopp has announced his departure from the Reds at the end of the season.
Van Dijk, whom the German manager signed from Southampton for £75m in January 2018, is currently 32 years old, and his contract with the club expires in the summer of 2025.
Asked whether he saw himself being part of the next era, Van Dijk said: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.”
Liverpool’s assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, alongside elite development coach Vitor Matos, are set to depart the Merseyside club alongside Klopp.
Additionally, the contracts of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are slated to expire in the summer of 2025.
“The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known,” said Van Dijk, who was speaking after scoring in his side’s 5-2 FA Cup fourth-round win against Norwich City on Sunday in the first game following Klopp’s announcement.
“To replace not only the manager but the whole staff and 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.”
Liverpool are challenging for trophies on four fronts as they remain in the FA Cup, are top of the Premier League, have reached the Carabao Cup final and are in the last 16 of the Europa League.
“It will be the end of Jurgen Klopp’s era – I am still part of it that’s why I don’t like to talk about it – and that is my main focus,” added Van Dijk.
“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.”