Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists he is “fully committed” to the club despite speculation he could depart Anfield this summer.
The Dutchman, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2025, reportedly put any talks of an extension on hold until a new manager was in place after Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to step down as manager at the end of the season.
Asked whether he saw himself being at Liverpool as they prepare for a new era, Van Dijk said: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.”
However, the centre-back has now rowed back on those comments and says he loves “eacha nd every second” at the club.
“It is much taken out of context,” Van Dijk told the Men In Blazers podcast. “To be 100 percent clear: I am fully committed to the club.
“I love the club, I love the fans. It is fully taken out of context.”
"DON'T GET IT TWISTED, I'M FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CLUB." ❤️
With rumors about his future at Liverpool swirling, Virgil Van Dijk joins Rog to clear things up. pic.twitter.com/2Bt5UKm65T
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) January 30, 2024
Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton for a reported £75 million transfer fee in 2018 and has been pivotal figure for the Reds, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup since then.
What Van Dijk Said
“It’s not about me, it’s not about I, it’s about us. Nothing has changed. Five days ago we weren’t even speaking about my contract, it’s silly.
“My full focus is on making sure this year can be a very special year. Obviously, it was a big announcement the last couple of days, it was a big shock to each one of us connected to the club and I feel exactly what the fans have been feeling in that exact moment.
“We mean business and we want to crack on. We want to achieve things that we dreamed of at the start of the season.
“Don’t get it twisted – I’m fully committed to the club. I love it and I love each and every second [at Liverpool].
“I’m the captain, and we’re going to go for it all and see how that goes.”
What Klopp Said
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp urged the need for calm around the future of Van Dijk, as well as Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“It was always clear that the outside world would not give you a second to process it,” he said. “It’s just the next thing, ‘what are you doing?’
“Give us a break. If I’m here we need to create a perspective and what’s happening next and stuff like this. That’s completely normal.
“Nobody has to worry. I knew it would happen because you [media] cannot wait for these type of questions.
“This club is stable, 100 percent, and everything will be fine, I’m 100 percent sure.
“We have to get through this, get through your questions and we have to give some answers. That’s how it is.
“Our people, I would recommend to stay calm.
“There is nothing to worry about in this moment in time. We are in this season and all these talks could be part of a possible distraction for this season.
“The boys have to think about things, that’s a human right. That’s what you should do just before you make a decision about whatever and that’s completely normal.”
Read – Klopp calls for ‘calm’ amid fears over Liverpool trio’s future
See Also – Van Dijk wants Liverpool to end Klopp era ‘on a high’
