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
Maresca ‘relaxed’ about Chelsea’s rough patch
- Chelsea boss Maresca was Friday named Premier League manager of the month for November
- “For us November was fantastic. December, we didn’t start in the way we would like, even if it’s just one week ago we played Leeds, ” Maresca said
LONDON: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he was “completely relaxed” about his side’s dip in form as he seeks greater consistency ahead of Saturday’s home match against Everton.
The Blues thumped Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on November 25 and earned an impressive 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal days later.
But they have not won since, losing at Leeds and Atalanta and drawing with Bournemouth.
Chelsea boss Maresca was Friday named Premier League manager of the month for November, in recognition of his side’s unbeaten record.
“We are in December now,” he said, laughing, at his press conference.
“This kind of thing is because you do the right things in terms of performance and results,” he added.
“For us November was fantastic. December, we didn’t start in the way we would like, even if it’s just one week ago we played Leeds (a 3-1 defeat on December 3).
“So it’s just three games in a row in one week that we didn’t get the results that we expect but we are now focused on the next one.”
Chelsea, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season, are fifth in the Premier League, eight points behind Arsenal.
Maresca said he was relaxed about Chelsea’s mini-slump.
“It’s football, it’s completely normal,” he said. “I understand most of the time we are always looking for problems or things we need to solve.
“The Leeds game was last Wednesday, eight or nine days ago. We are not going to change our season because we didn’t get the points that we expect.
“But I’m completely relaxed, I’m completely OK because I’m sure that at the end of the season we’re going to be where we have to be.”
The Italian admitted that improving consistency was the next step for his young squad.
“In terms of human beings, it’s impossible to be all season at the same level but for sure probably we need to learn things and to avoid that in the future,” he said.
Maresca said forward Cole Palmer should be available to face Everton after missing Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat by Atalanta.
