Virgil van Dijk has paid a glowing tribute to one ‘amazing’ person whose presence at Anfield was a significant factor in him signing for Liverpool six years ago.
The Dutchman has proven to be worth every bit of the £75m that the Reds paid to Southampton, turning a previously brittle defence into a formidable one and going on to now become club captain.
In an interview with France Football, the 32-year-old lauded Jurgen Klopp for forming an instant ‘connection’ with him upon joining LFC, describing the German as a ‘perfect’ fit for the Merseyside giants.
Van Dijk said of his manager: “I have an excellent relationship with the gaffer, on and off the pitch. I’m very close to him. From the first day and our first conversation, I felt a real connection. He is one of the reasons I wanted to join Liverpool. I’ll always be grateful for everything he has done for my career.”
The Netherlands captain continued: “He has many qualities. He’s an amazing person in an amazing club, a perfect match. Himself, the values of the club, the fans – everything is combined for it to work. I’m extraordinarily lucky to be able to experience all this.”
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Few managers in Liverpool’s history have ‘got’ the values of the club quite like Klopp, who endeared himself to the fan base from the very moment he first walked through the door at Anfield in October 2015.
When you see how relentlessly the Reds have pressed during his reign on Merseyside, it’s evident that the 56-year-old has put his trust in players who repay that faith with an incredible desire and will to win.
It’s also striking how many of the German’s signings have proven to be instant successes, with Van Dijk one of the standout examples, and much of that probably owes to the boss doing his due diligence beforehand so that they have his trust ever before any transfer goes through.
The harmony between captain and manager encapsulates the tremendous spirit that Klopp has inspired throughout his time at the club.
Klopp is the best manager in the World in my view, Liverpool are VERY FORTUNATE to have him. Pity he is in a club owned by people who DO NOT ARM OR GIVE HIM EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO BE A SERIAL WINNER, FOR LFC TO BE DOMINANT THE WAY MAN UNITED WAS IN CHASING DOWN LIVERPOOL’S LEAGUE RECORD, AND MAN CITY ARE NOW DOING!! HE DESERVES TO BE IMMORTALIZED AT LFC….BUT IT WON’T HAPPEN UNDER FSG OWNERSHIP¬¬
He doesn’t work like that,he is a coach who use his knowledge to sharpen players,he doesn’t need readymadw players he makes them super stars,look at Mane,Salah,Bony,Virgil,even now who knows Szoboszlai before joining LFC?he is gonna make him the world beater its pitty Jude didn’t join him he would make him somebody,Now im telling you look when Mbape make the right decision and join Klop,he is gonna beat the likes of Jude,Ha a land,even Vinicius and became the global superstar but only if he comes to the really talented coach like Jurgen
Klopp may not have the financial backing that City has but he makes up for it in other areas as we’ve seen over his coaching/management time at Liverpool. They still compete very well with the oil funded clubs considering their cash expenditure is disproportionate in comparison. I do hope that Citie’s overspending/mishandling of the club’s book’s records/finances has them not only thrown out of the epl but out of the english leagues altogether at the end of the season.
Ideally, they should be stripped of any silverware
they’ve ‘won’ in this time concerned. Here’s hoping!
As for Fergie, you have to admit he’s one of the greatest football managers of them all whether he’s United’s or not. Hopefully we’ll see Liverpool wrestling our ‘perch’ back in the near future.
I totally agree. Just see how those football clubs under American ownerships are performing and you get an idea why American ownership is bad.
Liverpool is very good!!!! WOW