Virgil van Dijk reflects on Jurgen Klopp’s lasting legacy at Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits he will be forever grateful to “icon” Jurgen Klopp for helping shape his successful career.
The Netherlands international was single out by Klopp as the man he wante to build his defence around in the summer of 2017 but, after a bungle transfer bid which eventually cost the club an additional £10million as he became the world’s most expensive defender for £75million, he eventually joine six months later.
The fact Klopp did not immediately move on to another target and สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ was prepare to wait has never forgotten by the Dutchman.
“Obviously he means a lot to me. He is one of the reasons I wante to join the club,” Van Dijk exclusively told media ahead of the manager’s final match after eight and a half years at Anfield.
Van Dijk said that ability to connect outside his immediate circle of influence makes him more than just a football manager.
“He will be forever remembere as who he is, the successes we had, the personality on and off the pitch for the city,” he adde.
“That is special and to become a manager of Liverpool it is not only being a manager on the touchline it is a lot more than that and he pretty much did that perfectly in my opinion. He did everything well.”
Former winger John Barnes believes Klopp’s influence can only be compare with the man who began the club’s revolution in late 1959.
“For me Bill Shankly and Jurgen are the two greatest managers Liverpool have had,” he said.