Liverpool supporters are getting used to life without Jurgen Klopp as their manager.
It is now more than a week since Klopp waved his last goodbye to Anfield after a glorious nine years.
It was an emotional occasion, which saw tributes pour in for a manager who will go down as one of the finest in Liverpool’s history.
Since then, we’re still waiting for the arrival proper of Arne Slot. But it’s safe to say that the 45-year-old has enormous boots to fill at Anfield.
Thankfully, Slot already appears to have captain Virgil van Dijk on side. Despite Van Dijk’s enthusiasm over his new boss though, it’s safe to say that he’s still dealing with the blow of losing his old one.
Virgil van Dijk makes ’emotional’ Jurgen Klopp admission
It was a sign of the magnitude of the occasion that Van Dijk was so visibly upset at the end of Klopp’s final game last week.
Liverpool’s captain is not usually an outwardly emotional man. Big, strong and tough, it was humbling to see the Dutchman in tears as he and Klopp embraced.
But as he made clear to the German after his departure, Klopp means a lot to Van Dijk.
And the 32-year-old has now elaborated further on his emotions leading up to the final whistle against Wolves on May 19th.
“I’m very emotional, you know,” Van Dijk told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf. “You might not say that. I don’t cry often, but it has been very intense in recent weeks for different reasons.
“In the last 10 minutes of the last match it became clear to me that this was the end of an era,” added the captain. “With a staff that has meant a lot to my family and me. I’ll never forget.”
Van Dijk looks ahead to a new era at Liverpool
As well as speaking about Klopp and his sadness at seeing the 56-year-old go, Van Dijk did touch on his own current situation.
The centre-back has 12 months to run on his contract and has been linked with a move away.
However, Van Dijk took the opportunity to reassure fans that he will be at Liverpool next season. He did however admit that no talks have yet taken place over a contract extension.
In our opinion, Virgil should be front and centre of the Slot era. He was quite inarguably Liverpool’s best player in 2023/24 and the Reds should be doing what they can to extend his stay at the club.
As awfully sad as it was to see Klopp leave at the end of the season, it doesn’t mean a mass exodus has to take place.
Van Dijk’s story at Liverpool has been equally as glorious as his former manager’s. And it isn’t anything like over yet.