Virgil van Dijk has made it clear that he is all in on Arne Slot for the coming season. The Liverpool captain is entering the final year of his contract and while speculation will run rife, the Dutchman has insisted he’s “enthusiastic” about his first season at Anfield without Jurgen Klopp. There is hope that young players Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo will thrive under Slot also.
Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool’s Dutch division are excited for compatriot Arne Slot to take up the mantle in Merseyside.
The 33-year-old captain has already spoken to the former Feyenoord coach ahead of this season, as he enters the final year of his current contract.
Slot will join the club this summer and will officially take up the role on June 1, where he begins the enviable task of following the beloved Jurgen Klopp and his nine-year managerial reign, and enacting a huge transition at the club.
“I still have a year left on my contract. I am club captain and I have made it clear I am there for the new coach and enthusiastic over the next season,” Van Dijk said on Monday while in camp with the Netherlands ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.
“Obviously, there will be a lot of changes but I am confident we will make a big success of it.”
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‘If Slot is the solution, then I’m more than happy’ – Klopp on Liverpool
Slot has wasted little time in making his mark on the staffing side, with Ruben Peeters, who served as head of performance under Slot at Feyenoord, set to join him at Liverpool.
Van Dijk added: “I congratulated him of course and I’m really pleased for him and his family. We spoke about the team and the future, but now my focus is fully on the national team.”
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch stands alongside his captain in welcoming Slot, and believes that the Dutchman’s presence will be beneficial to the 22-year-old’s career.
Liverpool’s youngster was a prized asset across Europe when he joined Bayern Munich in 2022 but he rarely had the chance to properly display the talents that got him there on the pitch.
Under Klopp, he’s shown moments of his promise, but there’s a growing hope that it is under Slot’s wing that he will thrive.
“I think he can be good for my career, it’s a coach who wants to play good football,” said the 22-year-old midfielder, who signed from Bayern Munich last August.
Before then, Liverpool’s Dutch trio Van Dijk, Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo have the Euros to focus on this summer.
All three, including former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, are in Ronald Koeman’s preliminary squad, and the Oranje have high hopes as their exciting crop of emerging stars and dependable veterans will join forces.