KLOPP’S TOUGH LOVE SUITS VIRGIL

IRGIL VAN DIJK has lifted the lid on how tough taskmaster Jurgen Klopp rules his Liverpool players with an iron fist inside a velvet glove. it makes you feel great. And yet he can be stone-hard the next day and put you in your place when you have made mistakes.

“He will do that in front of the entire squad but we all accept it because we know it is not personal.”

Klopp places huge physical demands on his players to make sure his ‘heavy metal’ football doesn’t miss a beat.

And Van Dijk believes he has become a better player because of it, adding: “All the stories about Klopp are dead right. I have never worked so hard in training.

“In pre-season, it was what we call in my country ‘typical German’ – running, running, running. And when you thought you were done, it was more running!

“I remember coming home after our camp in France and I was exhausted. But now, during the hard weeks of the season, I feel all the benefits.

“I play in the Premier League, in the Champions League and I play for my country but I can handle it all.”

And Van Dijk is eager to follow in the footsteps of the Anfield greats. He added: “On match day it is like walking in a museum – almost every Liverpool legend is present.

“I just love to hear all the stories from the guys who used to play for this magical club.

“When you have meant something to this club, they will never forget you. You are Liverpool for ever.”