Virgil van Dijk has cast doubt over his Liverpool future by admitting he is unsure whether he will be part of the post-Jürgen Klopp era and is “very curious” about how the club replace their legendary manager.
The Liverpool captain, along with most people connected with the club, is still processing the shock announcement on Friday that Klopp will leave at the end of the season.
The manager’s decision raised immediate concerns over the future of his title-chasing team, with Saudi Pro League clubs expected to try again for Mohamed Salah this summer and Van Dijk, who turns 33 in July, having only 18 months remaining on his contract.
Van Dijk has now given credence to those concerns. The outstanding defender appreciates Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have a monumental task to replace Klopp but admits their eventual decision will have a bearing on his own future.
Asked whether he saw himself being part of the next Liverpool era, he said: “That’s a big question. Well, I don’t know.”
The Netherlands captain elaborated when it was put to him that, with 18 months left on his deal, a decision will be needed soon.
Van Dijk replied: “That is correct – good maths. Listen, I don’t know. The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known. To replace the manager and replace not only the manager, the staff is leaving, and there are so many things that will change.
“So the club has a big job on its hands and I am very curious which direction that will go in. But when that will be announced we will see our situation, I can’t say now.”
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder who is now head coach with Bayer Leverkusen, is the frontrunner to succeed Klopp.
Van Dijk insisted he does not “want to keep talking
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