Virgil van Dijk has paid glowing tribute to an “incredible” person whose presence at Anfield was a major factor in his signing for Liverpool six years ago.
The Dutchman has proven he is worth every bit of the £75m the Reds paid Southampton, turning a previously fragile defense into a formidable one and now becoming club captain.
In an interview with France Football, the 32-year-old praised Jurgen Klopp for forming an instant “connection” with him upon joining LFC, describing the German as a “perfect” candidate for the Merseyside giants.
Van Dijk said of his coach: “I have an excellent relationship with the gaffer, on and off the pitch. I am very close to him. From day one and our first conversation, I felt a real connection. He is one of the reasons I wanted to join Liverpool. I will always be grateful for everything he has done for my career.”
The Netherlands captain continued: “He has many qualities. He is an incredible person in an incredible club, a perfect match. Himself, the values of the Club, the fans, everything combines to make it work. “I am extraordinarily lucky to be able to experience all this.”
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Few managers in Liverpool’s history have “captured” the club’s values like Klopp, who won the affection of the fans from the moment he walked through the Anfield gate in October 2015.
When you see how relentlessly the Reds have pressed during his reign on Merseyside, it is evident that the 56-year-old has put his trust in players who repay that faith with an incredible desire and will to win.
It’s also surprising how many of the German’s signings have proven to be instant successes, with Van Dijk being one of the most notable examples, and a lot of that is probably down to the boss doing his due diligence beforehand to get them on board. trust before any transfer is made. through.
The harmony between captain and coach sums up the tremendous spirit that Klopp has inspired during his time at the club.
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