LIVERPOOL, UK: Virgil van Dijk said the news of Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool at the end of the season was “hard to take,” but the Reds’ captain is hoping to send his manager out on a high.
Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in the running for three more trophies in the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.
Klopp announced his shock decision to step down on Friday, explaining that he no longer has the energy to keep going after nearly nine years in charge at Anfield.
“It’s a hard one to take, because the manager means so much for us, to me, to the club, to the whole Premier League I think,” said Van Dijk, who was brought to Liverpool by Klopp for a then world record £75 million fee for a defender in 2018.
“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.”
Liverpool host Norwich in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday at what is sure to be an emotionally-charged Anfield in the first match since the news broke.
Klopp’s men this week also reached the League Cup final, where they will face Chelsea next month, and are the favorites for the Europa League having already qualified for the last 16.
“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 said.
“Let’s make the rest of the season a special one so he can have the farewell that he definitely deserves.”
Liverpool are keen to avoid the fate suffered by Manchester United in 2001/02 when the Red Devils struggled after Alex Ferguson announced his intention to retire, only for the Scot to later change his mind and stay on at Old Trafford for another decade.
Klopp insisted there will be no change of heart on his decision and Van Dijk believes it could give his players extra motivation in what remains of the campaign
“It will maybe even give you an extra boost to do that extra (bit) or maybe enjoy it a little bit even more together,” added the Dutchman.
“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.”
Van Dijk desperate to give Klopp a fitting finale at Liverpool
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Van Dijk desperate to give Klopp a fitting finale at Liverpool
- “It’s a hard one to take, because the manager means so much for us, to me, to the club, to the whole Premier League I think,” said Van Dijk
- Liverpool host Norwich in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday
Kane double fires Bayern into Champions League last 16
- The six-time European champions sit second in the standings behind Arsenal ahead of their last league-phase outing at PSV Eindhoven next week
MUNICH, Germany: Harry Kane scored twice in three second-half minutes as Bayern Munich saw off Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
Bayern joined Arsenal in sealing a top-eight finish in the 36-team table with a game to spare, avoiding a potential two-legged knockout play-off round.
The six-time European champions sit second in the standings behind Arsenal ahead of their last league-phase outing at PSV Eindhoven next week.
Kane headed in from a corner before winning and converting a penalty to put the hosts firmly in control.
The England captain had a chance for a hat-trick but missed a late spot-kick, after Bayern center-back Kim Min-jae had been dismissed for a second yellow card.
“Coming back into the second half we wanted to show more intensity and I think we did that,” Kane told DAZN.
“We scored at the right times, were a bit unlucky with the red card but even after that when we went down to 10 men we controlled the game well and earned the three points.”
Bayern’s Champions League defeat at Arsenal remains their only loss in all competitions this season, in which they have also already opened up an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga.
Kane’s second goal was his 34th of the campaign, bringing Bayern’s total tally to 103 strikes from 29 games.
Bayern were sluggish in the opening half, perhaps unsettled by the absence of their 9,300-strong ultra contingent, with the lower stand closed due to a UEFA sanction for setting off pyrotechnics.
“We’re used to that from the Covid period, of course, but fundamentally we always want the fans there in a sold-out stadium — unfortunately it wasn’t possible today,” Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told DAZN.
The best chance of the opening half fell to Belgian champions Union SG.
With half an hour played, an unmarked Promise David got away from the Bayern defense and had just Neuer to beat, but headed his effort directly at the goalkeeper.
Bayern needed a set-piece to break the deadlock with 52 minutes gone.
Michael Olize lofted the ball into the six-yard area and Kane found space at the near post to head his side in front.
One minute later, Kane was felled by Union ‘keeper Kjell Scherpen and stepped up to double Bayern’s lead.
Kim, handed a rare start with Dayot Upamecano out sick, was sent off in the 63rd minute, picking up a second yellow for yanking Raul Florucz’s arm as the winger went on the attack.
But the red card did not disrupt Bayern’s flow.
Kane uncharacteristically blasted a penalty against the bar with 10 minutes left, while Olize chipped another opportunity over with just Scherpen to beat.
