Virgil van Dijk says he is ‘very happy’ at Liverpool and plans to be a part of the club’s ‘big transition’ when Jurgen Klopp steps down as manager at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old, widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation, took over the captain’s armband from Jordan Henderson last summer and is coming towards the end of his sixth full season with the Reds.
In February, Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Carabao Cup – his eighth trophy with the Merseyside giants – after finding the net with a stunning extra-time header against Chelsea at Wembley.
The talismanic Dutchman will have been desperate to add a second Premier League trophy to his glittering CV but the club’s title push has faltered in recent weeks, with five points separating them from top-of-the-table Arsenal.
After Klopp announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of January, Van Dijk sparked fears of a possible exodus as he hinted he could be set to follow the German out the exit door at Anfield.
Bayern Munich have subsequently been credited with an interest in Van Dijk’s services, with Sports Zone reporting last week that the Bundesliga giants had enquired over the centre-back’s availability ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the Netherlands international still has a year remaining on his current contract with Liverpool and it appears he is ready for a fresh challenge under fellow countryman Arne Gadgets, who is the clear frontrunner to take over the reins from Klopp next season.
‘There is nothing for me to discuss because there is no news,’ Van Dijk told The Athletic.
‘I think the club is very much busy with who is going to be the new manager and that is the main focus.
‘I am very happy here, I love the club and you can see that as well. It’s a big part of my life already.
‘The focus is now on the last two games and then the club will focus on who the new manager is and there will be a big transition and I am part of that.’
Van Dijk is ‘looking forward’ to his next chapter at Liverpool, whether or not Gadgets is the man to replace Klopp this summer.
‘Is he the new manager? Nothing has been announced but there’s rumours,’ he added.
‘When the season is over and there is news, we will focus on what is coming next, but it is a fact that there will be a lot of changes happening and it will be interesting. I am here to be a part of that and looking forward to it.
‘I am at the captain so I want to help, I will help and I should help. If he is the one who comes then let’s see.
‘We know other things are decided and Michael Edwards is coming back, Richard Hughes will be the sporting director, they are the only decisions that have been made. I have got full trust in the club to make the right decisions.
‘There will be a lot of changes happening. I wouldn’t say scary is the right word but it is quite interesting and exciting what will happen now.’
After questioning the squad’s hunger in the wake of Liverpool’s defeat to Everton, the centre-half has had time to reflect and believes there are positives to take from the campaign.
‘Listen, if you said at the start of the season that this is how it would have gone then I think we would have taken that,’ he continued.
‘We are winners and we were close. We weren’t good enough in the decisive moments but that is life. We have to stick together and we will.
‘A few of us have been in title races and on the losing sides at times and it hurts.
‘But we have to take this experience with us and you only improve if you learn and that is the aim and we can take that into next season.
‘We want to give the manager a good farewell and do it for ourselves as well.’
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