Virgil van Dijk is already preparing himself for the inevitable emotional departure of Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool.
The Dutch defender is aware that tears will be shed when the Kop boss concludes his eight-year tenure at Anfield.
However, amid the emotions, Van Dijk remains focused on achieving further success. He still has unfinished business to attend to.
Liverpool currently lead the way in the Premier League and have secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Having recently invited Klopp to join him in Wembley’s Royal Box to celebrate lifting the Carabao Cup last month, the Liverpool captain is hopeful for more glorious moments ahead.
Van Dijk said: “I am quite an emotional person and always find it very difficult to say goodbye to someone anyway – and it will be even more so now.
“Saying goodbye is not something I look forward to, but we can make it very nice by winning prizes together.
“That’s the way life is. You see each other at the club almost daily and even more often than your own wife and children.
“You experience highlights together – but also difficult moments. That creates a bond that is very close, especially at a club like Liverpool, one big family.
“And then after a few years it’s suddenly over. I hope, but am actually quite sure, that the club manages to preserve that unique atmosphere of mutual connection for the future.”
Liverpool’s aspirations for a quadruple were dashed by last weekend’s unexpected FA Cup defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
However, Van Dijk ensured that Klopp’s final Wembley appearance ended on a high note, as he scored a remarkable injury-time header to secure victory in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, allowing Klopp to lift the trophy in his farewell act at the iconic stadium.
He added: “I had thought of this beforehand, because it ended a perfect day in the right way.
“My family was in the stands, it was an exciting game, and I scored the winning goal. All in all, that made me so incredibly proud as captain.
“For me, there was nothing better than receiving a trophy, my first as captain, with the manager who has been and still is so incredibly important for the club and also for me personally.”
“One thing I really do have as a goal is to get everything out of it that’s in me.
“We’ll see what the next few years bring. Physically and mentally, I feel strong and good. I just want to win everything.
“We’re looking good with Liverpool at the moment and we can still take nice prizes like the championship and the Europa League.
“I want to receive those as captain of this wonderful club and if everything goes along and falls right, I may also hold up a trophy once as captain of the Dutch national team.
“Last year didn’t go well and I’m one of the contributing players at Liverpool and Oranje.
“I realise that, I’m proud of that. I played very good games last year, but also duels in which I was much less, which were not up to the standard I set myself.
“Then you have to deal with the criticism and I admit that, like every human being, I am not always immune to that.
“I understand very well that criticism is part of the job and that’s fine. But sometimes you can handle it better than other times.”
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