Virgil van Dijk may have been busy signing a new Liverpool contract last week, but the Dutchman didn’t neglect his duties as Liverpool’s captain.
Van Dijk kept his joy over signing a new two-year contract under wraps, not wanting to overshadow the club’s commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. Just a few days prior, the 33-year-old center-back had basked in the full adulation of the Kop after netting the late winner against West Ham.
He then met with Sean Cox, an Irish Liverpool fan who suffered life-altering injuries following a senseless attack by Roma hooligans in 2018. Honoring the past is crucial at Liverpool – even when you’re focused on a future that begins with Van Dijk becoming the first captain in 35 years to hoist the Premier League trophy in a stadium filled with fans.
Van Dijk shared: “Sean was disabled in an attack around a game against AS Roma a few years back. Since then, he and his family are often invited by the club. I have met him many times and I know his family a bit by now. It’s little things perhaps – but that is typical of Liverpool. This club means so incredibly much to people.
“Since playing for Liverpool, I have heard and read more and more about Hillsborough over the years. You hear the stories of the families, of supporters. The impact of this disaster is still huge here.”
With Mohamed Salah also penning a two-year deal, manager Arne Slot believes his summer plans to build on the title-winning success of his debut season are off to an ideal start. During negotiations, Van Dijk sought assurances that the club would invest in its future.
It comes as the Dutch defender is set to add another title medal to his collection, which includes a Champions League, FA Cup, and two EFL Cups from his first six-and-a-half years at Liverpool. The Reds need just a single point from their showdown with Tottenham to secure the championship. Five years ago, when Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy, Anfield was devoid of fans due to the pandemic.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
In an interview with Dutch outlet AD, when asked if he envisages reclaiming the trophy in front of a packed stadium, Van Dijk responded: “Yes, of course I do. It would be really fantastic. We’re going to do everything we can to get that job done.
“The culture of this club is so great, so rich. Liverpool’s impact is huge in this region, as the club lives all over the world. The minute’s silence for the Hillsborough victims, the ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ anthem immediately afterwards.
“Things like that never get used – nor do I ever intend to get used to them. As they say here ‘you don’t take that for granted.’ I get to be part of the history of this club – and I hope to enjoy that every day. It’s just a wonderful feeling to be able to be important. I have never made a secret of how immensely proud I am to be captain of Liverpool, how I consider that a privilege every day.
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“In my opinion, the story is not yet finished. The club is very ambitious, the plans for this summer sound good. There is still a lot to achieve here. Whatever is going to happen with players coming or leaving, I think this is going to be a very important summer for the club.
“I am convinced that the club management see it that way too – and we have to trust that they are going to do that in a good way. So that we can also play for prizes in the coming years. Arne is doing a great job. Klopp was – and is – a legend at this club, but the new coach has added some new touches in his own way, without immediately turning everything upside down.
“Next summer will actually be the first transfer window in which Arne can really make his own choices. That combination of things makes me really confident about the next two years.”
