Van Dijk is up for the Kop
Virgil van Dijk is about to realise his dream.
But when the former Celtic defender finally lifts the Premier League trophy, his thoughts will turn to the millions of Liverpool fans around the world who have waited 30 years to see their team crowned champions of England.
Van Dijk loves the passion that pours from the Kop every time Jurgen Klopp’s men run out at Anfield.
But it was only when he travelled to other parts of the globe that he got to understand the sheer scale of the club. Van Dijk said: “I’ve always said lifting the Premier League trophy would be a dream and that has become reality now.
“It’s hard to explain what this club means. You have to feel this club, experience it, taste it. Of course I knew about Liverpool before I came here. Who in the world doesn’t?
“But you have a kind of picture of the club from a distance and you imagine it is something massive.
“Once you first play against Liverpool, like I did at Southampton, things start to sink in.
“The stadium, the people, You’ll Never Walk Alone. All that is absolutely fantastic. And yet, you are st i l l bewi ldered and surprised by the sheer magnitude of the club once you sign a contract here.
“Even after that it takes time to take on board everything that the club stands for.”
Van Dijk added: “Never before have I been on holiday with so many people coming up to me.
“Even in Amer ica everyone was crazy about Liverpool. We were playing in Michigan and the stadium was filled with Liverpool fans. After that it dawned on me that I was now playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.”