Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has sent a warning to Arsenal and Chelsea following the news that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season.
On Friday, Klopp and Liverpool announced that the German would be resigning from his role as the club’s manager in the summer. Despite being contracted to remain at Anfield until 2026, Klopp has decided to call time on a career that has spanned nearly nine years on Merseyside.
Chelsea are Liverpool’s next opponents in the Premier League, meeting at Anfield on Wednesday. That is just days before Arsenal host Klopp’s team at the Emirates Stadium on February 4, as the title race resumes.
Arsenal are in third place in the Premier League five points behind Liverpool at the top of the table. Chelsea are ninth and 12 points behind the Gunners heading into their trip to Anfield on Wednesday.
With uncertainty at Liverpool following Klopp’s announcement, Van Dijk has spoken about the prospect of the next few games, including against Chelsea and Arsenal. Liverpool also have an FA Cup tie against Norwich City on Sunday, and Van Dijk has sent a warning to the teams that he and his teammates will go head-to-head against in the coming days.
“No, definitely not,” Van Dijk told Liverpool’s club website when asked if there was any time to reflect on Klopp’s recent announcement. “That’s the beauty of football as well. We are ready for the FA Cup this weekend and it’s going to be a tough one, big one.
“We have players coming back [from injury], so that’s a big positive too and we need everyone – and that’s what we have been showing throughout the whole season.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to that and then, like you said, we’re back in the Premier League and it’s going to be two tough games ahead of us as well. Let’s go out there and enjoy it all, be there together as a group of players but definitely together and connected with the fans and everyone who supports us around the world.
“That’s how we always have been doing and creating success. Let’s see how this season will pan out but so far, so good and we have to keep working, stay humble and achieve our success.”
