SHAKE-UP FROM KLOPP TO BOTTOM
As the Kop says goodbye to 1 its favourite sons, it’s hello 1 to heavy metal again and Van Dijk says: I’m hearing pre-season will be intense
EVEN as doors were closing on the Anfield career of legends, and Liverpool’s Champions League hopes, there was talk of new beginnings.
Aston Villa fans apart, this was a tough afternoon for everyone in a stadium which itself is undergoing something of a transition as the reality hit home. It is the end of an era, the last goodbye to one of the great Liverpool teams.
The tears that rolled freely down the cheeks of Roberto Firmino displayed his understanding of the finality of it, his last game at Anfield. The response from the Kop said the same.
And even though it is still mathematically possible for the Reds to play at Europe’s high table next season, the reality is clear: this will be the first time in a full season under Jurgen Klopp that the club has failed to qualify for the Champions League.
So the sadness could be forgiven, and a certain amount of trepidation too. Can Klopp (above) rebuild to the same heights? Will the top players even want to come to a club which cannot offer the ultimate European destinations?
For Virgil van Dijk, though, there is no question of fear for the future. “I’m very excited for next season,” he said when challenged about the task ahead. “That feeling came a couple of months ago when we turned the page.”
The inspirational leader knows that football life still goes on, even when chapters as glorious as Liverpool’s recent history come to an end. Even when key players like Firmino, James Milner,
Naby Keita and Alex Oxladechamberlain depart.
But he argues the new-look Liverpool is already in place and had been showing its potential on a seven-match winning run, before this frustrating draw against Villa.
“Obviously, there’s still a lot to work to do but the good thing in this case is that we have the whole pre-season to work on it and that’s definitely the plan,” said Van Djik. “The noises I’m hearing,
it’s going to be a very intense preseason with a lot of physical work, but also a lot of tactical work trying to get ready for a tough season. That’s very exciting.”
The question is, can Klopp weave his magic to find the next great generation, can he discover pearls like Sadio Mane and Firmino, whose late goal cancelled out Jacob Ramsey’s first-half opener, or leaders like Milner, without the lure of Champions League football?
For Van Dijk (celebrating, left, with Firmino), there is no question.
He added; “Players are leaving, but other players come in and will be ready. I think everyone who can improve us will help the football club and push us all.
“If I’m a player on the rise and I have options to go to the next step, and Liverpool is knocking on my door, then I would be very, very interested.
“I don’t think it’s going to change much if we’re not in the Champions League.
“Everybody knows we’ve been going through a bit of a transition and we’ll miss the players leaving.
“Not only Bobby, I’ll miss each and every one of them. They have all played their part, they’ve been successful, and they’re respected.
“But we have some exciting young players and that will be the focus next season, to make sure everyone’s ready to contribute, no matter what age.”
For Van Dijk, it is the end of an era, but far from the end of Liverpool as a force.