Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted that he will be remaining at Anfield this summer to help oversee the club's transition in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
The Reds have just two more Premier League games left under the tutelage of Klopp, whose distinguished nine-year reign will come to an end later this month.
The German announced in January that he was losing the energy to continue in the hotseat and would be stepping down at the end of the season, when Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is expected to take over.
Klopp's departure raised concerns that some of the 56-year-old's Liverpool stalwarts could follow him out of the exit door, namely Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, two players whose contracts expire next summer.
Reports have claimed that Salah is expected to stay put, but Bayern Munich and teams in Saudi Arabia are supposedly keeping a close eye on Van Dijk ahead of the possibility of a free transfer in 2025.
© Reuters
Van Dijk "part" of "big transition" under Slot
However, speaking to reporters after Sunday's 4-2 Premier League triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, Van Dijk erased any doubt over his immediate Liverpool future, claiming that he will be "part" of the Reds' new era.
"There will be a big transition and I am part of that," the Dutchman said. "I think the club is very much busy with who is going to be the new manager and that is the main focus.
"Like I said 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, and that is all I can say. There will be a lot of changes happening and, I wouldn't say scary is the right word, but it is quite interesting and exciting what will happen now."
Van Dijk's inclusion in Liverpool's home kit launch for next season strengthened the notion that he would be staying put, although his contract situation is a pressing matter for new sporting director Richard Hughes, as the Reds could lose him for nothing seven years after splashing out £75m to sign him from Southampton.
In that time, the 32-year-old has developed into one of Europe's leading centre-backs under Klopp, becoming a Premier League and Champions League winner while registering 23 goals and 12 assists in 268 matches in all competitions.
Van Dijk looks ahead to "emotional" Klopp exit
© Reuters
Van Dijk has added another EFL Cup winners' medal to his collection this year, and Liverpool are still in the Premier League title picture thanks to their beating of Tottenham at the weekend, sitting third in the table behind Arsenal or Manchester City.
However, should the Gunners or the Citizens pick up just one win from their closing matches, the Reds will officially be out of the conversation, although they have at least sealed Champions League qualification for 2024-25.
Looking ahead to Klopp's farewell, Van Dijk added: "I am really proud I played for him, fought for the badge and him and count the success we had over the years as well.
"It will be emotional on the last day but it is a part of life sometimes. Many things are happening behind the scenes but we focus on matchdays and that is our duty, our job and we want to perform for the last six points."
Klopp's final away game as Liverpool boss comes against Aston Villa on May 13, before the German's Anfield swansong against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final weekend of the Premier League season six days later.
Ben Knapton
