NewsVirgil van Dijk: We're fully focused on what we want to achieve
Virgil van Dijk has underscored Liverpool's collective full focus on their objectives as they aim to ensure the 2023-24 season is a successful one.
In his debut campaign as Reds captain, Van Dijk has played a key role in helping Jürgen Klopp's side mount a challenge on four trophy fronts so far this term.
Liverpool sit top of the Premier League table and have also progressed into next month's Carabao Cup final as well as the next stages of both the Emirates FA Cup and Europa League.
Van Dijk has been keen to stress that the priority must remain on the here and now following the announcement of Klopp's decision to step down as manager this summer, with silverware the ambition in the coming weeks and months.
"It's all about small margins," Van Dijk told Sky Germany. "We have to focus on the things we can control.
"I think the main things that we can control are to stay fit and try to keep the consistent level we have been doing throughout the whole season so far because that has been bringing us success, [and] hopefully winning games.
"Other than those things, we have to make sure we do it all together. The players, the staff [and] the fans have a big, big role to play as well. I think that's also a big part of why we are where we are: because we have aligned and we are together.
"We have to keep that going until the end of the season and like I said before, there's no guarantee that we are winning trophies, but we are in a good way. So, let's go."
Read on for a summary of the rest of the No.4's interview below…
On his special relationship with Klopp and what will stay with him when the manager leaves...
It's quite difficult to speak about it at this point because obviously you're still in the mix of it. As I've said already, my first reaction is to be fully focused on things ahead. Obviously the manager means a lot to me. I think that's absolutely normal. We've been working together for so many years now, we have achieved so many things together. He's one of the reasons I wanted to join this club and join the Liverpool family. He made me captain. There are so many good things that we've shared and obviously I've learned from him and I hope he's learned from me as well.
It's definitely a shock to our system at that point and when we spoke about it obviously it was a shock. I felt [that] obviously with the rest of the team as well. But after that there's feelings of focus and determination to get our head straight again and focus on the job and focus on what we want to achieve. Like our mindset has been since pre-season basically already, because of the disappointing year we had last year. It hasn't changed.
That's the most important thing that I've sensed over the last couple of days. You see it in the last game where we did well. The youngsters did well. That's what we have to keep going and keep doing and keep focusing. That's what the manager would love from us and want from us as well. I sense that it's fine. We shouldn't listen to the noise from outside because there will be noise, especially with that size of news brought into the world.
On Klopp stating the players are dedicated to the club and his own recent comments...
First and foremost, I was quite surprised how 'breaking news' it was [on Monday] because I felt like it's got way taken out of context. I think, first and foremost, it's not about me. It's not about me at all. Especially at this point. It's about us [and] how we want to make sure that the club is at the right place at the right time. That's why I was very much surprised.
Just to be 100 per cent clear, I am fully committed to the club, like the boss said. I love the club. I love the fans. I love playing each and every minute for the club [and] wearing the shirt. I can't say more. I can say more, but I think it's pretty obvious and like I said, it's not about me. It's about making sure that we achieve targets and goals and dreams and making sure that towards the end of the season that we can make the farewell that the boss deserves; the best ever.
We're in a good position. I really sense that. But at the end of the season it could be different but we're not focusing [on that]. We're focusing on what's here and now and as a team and not personally because that's not important at all. It's not about 'I' or 'he'. It's about [being] together and that's how it feels.
On whether there is now extra motivation to finish this season in a special way...
As human beings obviously everyone processes news, especially the size of this news, differently. I can speak for my personal feeling that definitely I feel like let's make these last couple of months together the best ever. Why not do it with winning trophies? Hopefully, but obviously it's not a guarantee. It's going to be very difficult, but why not give everything and just enjoy it even more. That's the feeling I definitely try to bring across to the rest of the team and the good thing is the feeling I get back from the rest of the boys is [that] they're on the same page as I am. That's very important.
On not being dribbled past in the Premier League this season and whether he is at his highest level...
If this is going to give us a trophy at the end of the season, hopefully it will, then so may it be. It is for me important to keep a high level and a high standard and obviously it's good for myself but it's more important for the rest of the team. That's how I see it. I really enjoy being out there with these boys. Like I said, I love every minute of it and let's see where it goes.
On whether his experience can help the players around him...
100 per cent. I know the responsibility I have and I really enjoy that as well. I give experience by the way I conduct myself on and off the pitch. But obviously when I see that a certain player needs to be pushed in a certain direction, or needs some help, or what to do next, or how to look after himself, I will be there. That's how it should be. It should be very natural and not only me... we have senior boys who have a massive role to play as well. So far, so good. So, let's keep that going.