Virgil van Dijk hints more Liverpool signings are coming and gets critics to admit

[ad_1]

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he is motivated for the new season with the arrival of new players and after conversations with Jurgen Klopp.

By his own high standards, it was a disappointing campaign for Van Dijk, which coincided with a disappointing season for the Reds. At the start of January, it emerged that European football would not return to Anfield. But a reversal of fortune and a late push secured a place in the Europa League.

Despite this, a midfield overhaul is in sight for Liverpool. Alexis Mac Allister has arrived as the first piece of the puzzle as Klopp looks to continue acquiring players to strengthen his squad.

Each day sees a number of players being mooted with moves to Merseyside. Khephren Thuram is one of those – with the OGC Nice midfielder sitting near the top of Reds boss Klopp’s summer shortlist.

READ MORE: Darwin Nunez’s squad number could change as Liverpool ‘exclusive’ roster explained

READ MORE: Liverpool could sign ‘next Sergio Busquets’ for £11.7m after transfer rule change

A defensive addition can also be made. But there is no doubt that Van Dijk will remain a vital member of Liverpool’s backline. And the 31-year-old admits he’s excited about the form the team have shown at the end of the 2022-23 campaign and the company ahead.

Van Dijk said: “I still have two years left on my contract and I guess they (Liverpool) still see me as important to the team. Otherwise I’m sure I would have heard about it.

“My contact with the manager is good and I feel very positive about things again. The way we finished the season motivates me to go into pre-season with the new players arriving.”

As Liverpool’s form suffered last season, critics began to target Van Dijk for his performances. Prominent footballing figures in England and his native Holland have spoken, with Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten also having their say on the £75m man.

Van Dijk has already expressed their views since the curtain fell on the campaign, but he added that he had learned a lot on and off the pitch and urged popular figures to reflect on their actions.

The Netherlands captain said: “I don’t feel too big to be vulnerable. It’s been a pretty intense season with a lot of ups and downs and people have to understand that we’re not robots. a year that I learned a lot – especially off the pitch, and certainly mentally.

“In football it’s never easy – but this season was still a shock. Sometimes the criticism was right, both on the team and on me individually. But often enough it wasn’t. “That’s right. Anyway, you have to be able to handle it – and I’m glad I did well. Mentally, it’s not always easy.”

“Criticism is part of that – and that’s certainly no problem if it’s justified,” Van Dijk continued. “But a footballer knows when he has played well or badly. Some comments are also only meant to be controversial and are said just for the sake of saying them. There are so many platforms where people can voice their opinions these these days.

“The problem is that as a footballer you can’t really say much in return. If you do that once, you immediately make the puppets dance. I’m someone who consciously doesn’t read, doesn’t don’t listen or watch much I can close But you often get told by other people – and you can’t escape it.

READ NEXT:

[ad_2]